HomeMy WebLinkAbout423"Letter dated Dec. 1954 and related newspaper article copied from the Toronto Star,
dated 1955.
Dear Friend:
For some time past, many residents of the Brougham area have been greatly
concerned about the lack of proper game and sports facilities.
Finally on 26th November 1954, a public meeting was called at Brougham Town Hall,
and the large attendance was very encouraging. A Park Board was elected as follows:
President: Bob Miller
Secretary: Grant Johnston
Treasurer: (Mrs.) Jean Booth
Assist. Treas. Ross Knox
Directors: Dean Mairs,Russell Frame,Joe Burrows,Don Beer
Your Board has taken on the task of operating and maintaining
BROUGHAM MEMORIAL PARK, and it is estimated that the project will cost SIX
thousand five hundred dollars ($6,500.00) including land, lights, and miscellaneous
labour and material.
Your Board feels that all citizens, particularly those with children, will welcome the
opportunity and contribute to this project. To make sure that no one is overlooked,
canvassers appointed by the Board will call on you to receive your contribution and
provide you with an official receipt (for income tax deduction.)
Please receive them courteously and contribute as generously as you can so that this
worth-while Community Project can be carried to completion and made available to all
sports living people, children or adults, players or spectators.
THE BOARD
"
"Toronto Star C. 1955
BROUGHAM BUILDS PARK BY OWN BROW SWEAT
Special to The Star
Illustration: Wendy Lee Irwin, Left, And Jo-Anne Jenkins Display Community Park Sign
Brougham June 22 - The 160 residents of this hamlet are beaming with pride today and
justifiably so. They have a new community park and they dug into their pockets to build
it.
Their dream was realized when all turned out for the park's grand opening.
""Everyone seemed well satisfied with what we had accomplished."" said Robert Miller,
chairman of the newly formed park board after Pickering township reeve,
William Newman had officially cut the ribbon.
Built entirely by district volunteer labour, the park is planned, Miller said,
to serve a double community need. ""First we hope it will provide a recreational centre
for our younger people and secondly, a home for our Softball team, the Brougham
Bombers, runners-up last year for Intermediate ""D"" league title.
Raise More Than $6,500
Miller said more than $6,500 had been raised in the campaign that reached into every
home in the Brougham area. An additional $1,000 was granted by the township.
""The response our canvassers received was terrific,"" said Miller, who spearheaded
the park drive. ""Several of the folks gave cheques for $200. while dozens chipped in
$100 each.
Miller said so far $7,500 had been spent on the three-acre park, situated east of the
village on the highway. The land itself, he said, cost the park board $3,000.
Then came the floodlights and the underground cable. This. Miller said cost another
$2,000. The remainder was spent on bleachers, a two-room clubhouse and swings
and slides for the children.
$800 Still Needed
""We need only about $800 now to clean the whole project up,"" Miller said.
He said it is hoped this money will be raised through a rummage sale the village is
planning.
Miller, who has been pitching for the ""Bombers"" since 1931, said the opening
was of extra importance for his team. ""It marked the first time in the club's 30-year
history that a home game was played on their own ball diamond, "" he said.
The only sour note was the fact they lost to the Agincourt Fleen Liners, 5 to 2.
""This didn't worry us too much.'' Miller said, ""because they play intermediate senior
""B"" ball.""
"