Tavistock Optimist Club marks 50th anniversary with major park-improvement project

Tavistock Optimist Club members helping spearhead the 2026 park-improvement project include, from left, Jeff Schwartzentruber, Eugene Bender, Jesse Weicker and Eric Bender. Gary West photo

By Gary West

The year 2026 is shaping up to be a milestone one for the Tavistock Optimist Club as members celebrate the organization’s 50th anniversary with an ambitious community park-improvement project.

Founded in 1976, the Tavistock Optimist Club is marking its golden anniversary by expanding its park pavilion and installing a new ballpark lighting system at the club’s 11-acre park on the western edge of Tavistock. Club members say the upgrades are aimed at enhancing community events, improving safety for youth sports and creating an even more welcoming space for family gatherings.

All work on the project will involve local contractors and businesses, keeping labour and investment within the community. The club hopes the improvements will serve residents for decades to come.

The Tavistock Optimist Club currently has 94 members ranging in age from their mid-20s to mid-80s, making it one of the largest Optimist clubs in the region. Eight charter members who helped establish the club half a century ago remain actively involved today.

Plans for the pavilion include a 1,600-square-foot addition attached to the northwest side of the existing structure. Once completed, the expanded space will better accommodate tournaments, celebrations and community gatherings throughout the year. The addition of modern ballpark lighting will also allow for safer evening activities and extended use of the park.

To support the $200,000 fundraising goal for the project, the club has planned a series of events throughout the year. A fundraising kickoff concert is scheduled for Saturday, June 6, featuring the popular Highway 21 band. Friday Night Fries will also return for June, July and August, continuing a longtime summer tradition in Tavistock.

In addition, club members will organize a fundraising draw over the summer with the winning ticket to be drawn in September. The Optimists also plan to reach out to local businesses, community clubs and organizations to help bring the project to completion.

Club members say community support will be essential to the project’s success and encourage residents from both urban and rural areas to get involved. More details about fundraising events and donation opportunities will be shared through the club’s website and in future editions of the Gazette.