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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCR 01-16CR 01-16 Subject: Renaming of the Claremont Community Centre Heritage/H istoricai/Comm unity Relevance: February 8, 2016 Page 2 Dr. Nelson F. Tomlinson's roots go back to the Ward family, who settled in Claremont in the early 1840s. He was born and raised in Reach Township, but came to the Brougham-Claremont area in 1905, when he taught school at the Brougham School. He was principal of the Brougham Continuation School by 1909. During those early years, Dr. Nelson F. Tomlinson was active in a variety of community activities. • He played on the Claremont Football Club in 1909 when it became Intermediate South Ontario Champions. • He was a member of the local Methodist Church Choir while teaching in Brougham, and was also a member of the Pickering Centennial Committee, in 1911. • He left Pickering to attend medical school at the University of Toronto, from 1914 to1918. • In 1919, a serious outbreak of influenza with no doctor in residence in Claremont, pulled Dr. Nelson F. Tomlinson away from a practice in Gravenhurst. He never left. • From the time he and his wife returned to Claremont, Dr. Nelson F. Tomlinson was deeply engaged in the community and civic affairs. • When the Claremont Memorial Park opened in 1925, Dr. Nelson F. Tomlinson was honorary president of the Claremont Football Team, when the team staged a game as part of the opening celebrations. He was listed as a member of the team in 1927. He was involved in the tennis club in Claremont, and he and his wife helped found the first Badminton Club in Claremont in the late 1920s. • Dr. Nelson F. Tom Iinson was a Master of the Masons, Claremont Branch ( 1928) and later received a 50 Year Medal as a Worshipful Brother of the Order of Masons. And he was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Methodist Church in Claremont (1933). • From 1935 to 1955 he was the Medical Officer of Health; Tomlinson's name can be found on the bottom of health bulletins and notices frequently published in the local newspapers and posted around the communities. • In 1951, Dr. Nelson F. Tomlinson was appointed Chairman of the Board of Management of the Claremont Community Memorial Athletic Field and Park and the Claremont Community Hall (By-Law No. 1866, signed May 1, 1951 ). He was appointed to the same position again in 1952. • In 1959, Dr. Nelson F. Tomlinson was asked to give the opening address at the Centennial of the Brougham School. And he was guest speaker at the opening of the new Brougham Library on June 7, 1963. Dr. Nelson F. Tomlinson has also assisted to' raise funds for the renovation of the Claremont Library in the late 1960s. CORP0227 -07/01 revised CR 01-16 Subject: Renaming of the Claremont Community Centre February 8, 2016 Page 3 In honour of active service in the community, "Dr. Nelson F. Tomlinson Day" was proclaimed for January 8, 1966. A committee was formed to plan the day, and many friends and colleagues of Dr. Nelson F. Tomlinson were contacted, most of whom donated money for a fund which was later given over to the Ajax and Pickering General Hospital to furnish a room, in the doctor's name. As further testament to the respect and admiration of Dr. Tomlinson within the community, he was featured as the "Symbol of the Century" on the cover of the News Advertiser on Thursday, June 29, 1967, in commemoration of Canada's 100th birthday, and he lead Claremont's Centennial Parade. Throughout his life in Claremont, he could always be depended upon the support of recreational activities and was often seen shuttling local youth to and from sports games. Public Notification: As per Facility & Park Naming Procedure ADM 110-006, staff are responsible to notify all residents and ratepayer associations within the service area of the proposed name change and provide a 30 day period for public comments to be received. As such, the following public notification was provided: 1. Public Notice on the City's website from November 25, 2015 to January 1, 2016 at pickering.ca/claremont. The website included the Notice of Motion dated November 16, 2015 which features background information on Dr. Nelson F. Tomlinson. 2. Public Notice mailed to Claremont households the week November 23, 2015 (over 800 letters). 3. Public Notice mailed on November 27, 2015 to individuals who registered on the Sign-Up sheet requesting to receive further notification on matters related to this Notice of Motion at the November 16, 2015 Council Meeting. 4. Public Notice posted prominently at the entrance of Claremont Community Centre from December 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015. · 5. Public Notice on the Community Page (Pickering News Advertiser) on December 2, 9 and 16, 2015. 6. Public Notice mailed on December 3, 2015 to ratepayers and community associations within the service area. At the conclusion of the 30 day public notification period, a total of 24 community comments were received by City staff of which 13 (54%) supported the name change, 9 (38%) did not support the name change and 2 (8%) were indifferent indicating that they would support whatever was made through the process, although the associated costs should be considered. Regardless of their position, many respondents felt that the word "Community" was important to retain in the facility name so that the facility purpose/type was clearly evident. For this reason, should Council approve the renaming of the Claremont Community Centre, staff propose the name to be Dr. Nelson F. Tomlinson Community Centre. CORP0227-07/01 revised Subject: Directive Memorandum Nov. 18,2015 Page 2 5. Claremont Continuation School-He was a teacher and taught in the school from 1911 for seven years until he raised enough money to attend the University of Toronto Medical School. During World War I he was sent to work at a Tuberculosis Sanatorium in Graven hurst. In 1919 he got the call that Claremont needed a doctor as Dr. Caldwell, the local doctor at the time, was enlisted for service in World War I. Dr. Tomlinson also held the position of Medical Officer of Health from 1935 to 1955. 6. School Board -He was elected to the School Board and was involved in building the present school in Claremont in 1923. (A debenture for $40,000 was taken out to cover the cost of building material, an 80' well, sidewalks, fences, etc.). 7. Bowling Green-He was very active in the lawn bowling organization and the small bowling park south of the four corners which was named after him. The sign was removed when the City Pickering sold the property and the tribute to him has disappeared from this town. 8. Park Board -He was an avid sports enthusiast and President of the Park Board for many years. Because football was being played in a farmer's field south of town, four acres was purchased where the present park is today. He was instrumental in having the brick gate posts built and bronze memorial plaques placed there with the names of all the local men and women who served in World War I and World War II. 9. Claremont Community Centre-His efforts to have the vacated Presbyterian Church turned into a community centre resulted in many years of community groups enjoying the hall until the new community centre was built. 10. Dr. Tomlinson was a valued asset to this community and in early years would travel miles by foot, snowshoe, horse and buggy and later, in a Model T Ford to visit patients in north Pickering. His area was extended to concessions south of Claremont, north a few miles into Uxbridge over the Town line, east to Ashburn and west to the Markham/Pickering Town line. Many people attended his retirement. He practiced medicine for 56 years until age 90. He received thanks from hundreds of friends at his goth birthday. Many lives were saved by this gentle man. He helped the injured and was there at the birth of many babies born in the area. He was also in charge of those with scarlet fever who were quarantined and he stayed isolated in the Masonic Hall until they were well. 11. The work and effort he put into Claremont was amazing and the proposal to have the community centre named after him would be a wonderful way to memorialize his memory. Now therefore be it resolved that the City of Pickering consider re-naming the Claremont Community Centre to The Dr. Nelson F. Tomlinson Centre pursuant to the Facility & Park Naming Procedure ADM 110-006. Please take any action deemed necessary. Lisa Harker /lr Copy: Chief Administrative Officer