Kin Club makes a splash

Luke Edwards

Grant Haven Media

Thanks to the support of a generous community and the hard work of their members, the Simcoe Kin Club has reached a fundraising goal that will help keep the local splash pad up and running.

Members handed over a cheque for $80,000 at the Sept. 9 council-in-committee meeting. The money will help fund a reconstruction of the popular summer play area in Kinsmen Park on Head Street North. It continues a longstanding commitment by the club to keep the park up to date and offering fun and play for local youth.

“We’re pleased that we have fulfilled the promise of having raised $80,000 for the splash pad reconstruction,” said Dennis Travale, who was the Kinmen’s project lead for the reconstruction efforts.

Over the years the club has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to improve the park with accessible and up-to-date play equipment, including the initial fundraising for the splash pad. However, as it reached a point where simple patches and fixes were no longer viable, a reconstruction became necessary.

Travale said several other service clubs, groups and organizations joined forces to help raise the money. The Kinsmen also maintain donation bins for empty alcohol containers and pop cans, including at the Simcoe Legion and Waterford Esso station, which helped raise money.

“This is really an exciting project to see come back alive again and be regenerated,” said Mayor Amy Martin. “It’s a wonderful community asset.”

The Simcoe Kin Club is one of several local groups nearing a major milestone, as it will celebrate its 100th anniversary next year. Travale said groups like the Kinsmen, Legion, Lions and other groups help make the county a special place.

“What would Norfolk be without the generosity and community spirit of the so many volunteers that are out there and the service clubs,” he said.