Posted by Don Evans on Sep 08, 2017
Monday, August 28 - We are in Terrace for a series of club visits in the Northwest area of BC.  Assistant Governor Brian Downie has us well organized.   Today we meet with the Rotary Club of Terrace where  President Janet MacKenzie leads a very active club with a history that goes back to 1954 in the community.  Their major annual fundraisers are their annual Auction and the Duck Race on the Skeena River.   Assistant Governor Brian Downie is also a member of this club, and Brian accompanies us to all the club visits in the northwest area as does Past District Governor Art Erasmus.  (BIG Thank You to Brian and Art!)
 
After the meeting we have a look around the community at many of the club's projects - the major project just opened last week is the new Rotary Splash Park, a multiyear fundraising effort with many community partners has become a reality.  The project was in partnership with the Rotary Club of Terrace - Skeena Valley and received a District grant as part of the funding.   On this sunny afternoon the park is bustling with families and kids enjoying this new community amenity - it is obviously a hit!  We also tour a number of other projects that have been supported by the club - including a trail network, the newly upgraded Sportsplex, gazebos on the Grant Trunk Pathway and more.
 
 
 
Tuesday, August 29 - Today we are off to Kitimat - a first visit ever to this community for us.   We meet with the Kitimat Rotary Club (chartered 1956) at the Hirch Creek Golf Club and find a small but active club in the community.  After our dialogue with the club, we head off with president Marianne Hemmy and Rotarian Eleanor Kendell to see some of the clubs work in the community.  The prime focus here is on peace, and Kitimat was inducted as a Rotary Peace Community in 2012 - we see the plaque in the City's main park.   Other projects we see are the Peace Pole at Kildala Elementary School (where Principal Janelle just happens to drop by while we are there and joins in for a photo).   We also see the Rotary Gazebo at the info center, the Refreshment Centre at the soccer fields and kitchen facility at the Rod and gun Cub - all projects of the Rotary club over recent years.
 
 
 
 
 
Wednesday, August 30 is our visit with the Rotary Club of Terrace - Skeena Valley and we are welcomed by a great turnout with many guests present.   Club president this year is Kristen Riley and she does a great job with the meeting,   Rotary 5040 Director Crystal Bouchard is also a member here as is Mayor Carol Leclerc,  and we have a lively interaction with the club.  This club has a strong focus on youth, and is the sponsor of the Interact Club here at Caledonia High School and active with RYLA Lakelse in partnership with the Terrace Club.  The Skeena Valley club also participated with the Splash Park project and has recently done a  number of interpretive signs along the trails on Ferry Island which we see and enjoy on a walk on the Island trails.
 
 
Thursday, August 31 we are in Prince Rupert and join the Rotary Club of Prince Rupert at their regular meeting.  This is a club with a long history and considerable legacy, being just the second Rotary Club in our District - chartered in 1921!  We have a photo with John McNish (who has been a Rotarian for more than 60 years) and three other long service members - each with more than 40 years.

President Karen Basso presides over the club meeting, and then we head to the Rotary Waterfront Park where a memorial plaque is being unveiled in honour of veteran Cy Peck by the Mayor and several sponsors - including Rotary.   Following this we head over to Seal Cove where Rotary is leading the Rushbrook Trail revitalization project connecting the Cove with the Rushbrook area along the old Grand Trunk Railway tracks.   Rotary is also in evidence here with a great Welcome to Prince Rupert rest area as you come into town and in many other local projects.  The club is looking forward to its Centennial in 2021!