Rotary Club supports local youth and business at Goderich Waterfront

Ellen Gundy and Megan Deighton at Rotary Cove Beach Hut.

As a long-standing service club in the Goderich community, the Rotary Club of Goderich is proud to partner with the Town of Goderich to help enhance and develop the beautiful waterfront.

Our shared goal is to make the beaches of Goderich not only more appealing to visitors but also a vibrant and welcoming destination in Ontario.

As part of this initiative, the Rotary Club has taken over the operation of two key waterfront facilities – the Main Beach Hut and the Rotary Cove Wheelhouse.

These popular summer spots are now hubs of activity and opportunity – especially for local youth.

All profits go toward community projects, such as the soccer shed and fitness trail.

Since 1992, the Club has employed local students to staff and manage these locations throughout the summer.

The Beach Hut opens each year on the May long weekend and runs through to Labour Day in September.

The Wheelhouse opens a bit later in June, once the weather becomes more consistently warm.

In total, the Club employs approximately 20 students over the summer season. Operating hours are 11 a.m. to dusk, seven days a week, weather permitting.

At the Beach Hut, visitors can enjoy Shaw’s Ice Cream, locally made hamburgers from Shanahan’s, Lake Huron perch and other summer favourites.

Down at the Wheelhouse, offerings include Shaw’s Ice Cream, New Orleans Pizza, candies, chips and pop.

In addition to supporting youth employment, the Rotary Club is committed to supporting local businesses by sourcing many of its products from area suppliers.

These include Shanahan Quality Meats (fresh-made burgers), Out of the Blue (Lake Huron yellow perch), Horton’s Dairy (ice cream and dairy products), H.O. Jerry (paper products and environmentally friendly cleaners), Food Basics (fresh product and condiments), West Coast Distributing (candy and confectionary treats), and New Orleans Pizza (served at the Cove Wheelhouse).

These partnerships help strengthen the local economy and highlight the best of what our community has to offer.

One of the most rewarding aspects of this program is providing students with their first job experience. Many are hired with little or no prior experience and receive full training from the Club.

Through this opportunity, they gain valuable hands-on skills in areas such as food service, inventory management, scheduling, customer service, and business operations.

Students frequently express how much they enjoy working with friends, learning new skills, building confidence – and, of course, working at the beach.

The experience also fosters a strong sense of camaraderie and pride in their accomplishments.

Rotary members play an active role throughout this season, especially during busy weekends. They assist by running supplies, tidying the area, and engaging with beachgoers – offering directions, sharing information about local events, and enhancing the overall visitor experience.

In addition to operational support, Club members provide mentorship and training in small business management.

Student managers are introduced to hiring and interview practices, food preparation certification, inventory control, public relations, workplace safety, cleanliness protocols, and leadership.

They also complete a specialized course in personal safety and conflict resolution when dealing with the public.

This program not only enhances Goderich’s waterfront amenities but also builds future leaders by giving young people the tools and confidence to succeed in the workplace, and beyond.

The Rotary Club of Goderich is proud to invest in the future of our community by supporting youth employment and helping make the waterfront a place we can all be proud of.