$1-million donation a big boost to Wellesley Township’s $27-million rec. centre project
A township native who began his career as a developer in Wellesley, Bill Gies says he wanted to give back to the community
CHARGED WITH RAIS ING $2.5 MILLION
towards the new Wellesley Township Recreation Centre, the fundraising committee got a big boost this week in the form a cheque for $1 million.
Bill Gies, who was born on a farm in St. Clements and who got his start as a developer in Wellesley, provided the signature on the cheque. His name will adorn the project’s main facility, which will be known as the Bill Gies Recreation Centre.
“I’m a builder and developer. I bought my first piece of land in Wellesley, a farm, in 1973, and then I proceeded to develop that land and we built some houses on there,” he said. “So when I heard that they want to build a community centre, I said, ‘OK,
I’m willing to support it.’ That’s the reason why – I want to give back to the community.”
Gies’ quest to give something back was embraced by ‘Something for Everyone’ campaign chair Chris
Martin.
“It’s very nice to see – nice to see the community respond like that,” Martin said of the reception to the fundraising campaign launched last month. “Bill has long been instrumental in our community, developing lands and homes in our township. It’s nice to see him want to pay back, and give back to the community later in his career like that.”
Martin noted the large donation both lends credibility to the project and helps ease the pressure at the start of a climb to $2.5 million.
His committee is looking after raising the public’s director contribution to the $27-million project.
Along with an NHL-sized rink, the 62,000-square-foot facility at Queens Bush and Hutchison roads in Wellesley village will include eight dressing rooms (two fully accessible), a dressing room for the Applejacks Junior C hockey team, a youth centre, seniors’ centre, a gymna