Banook Lake was bustling Thursday as kids from paddling clubs all over the city were giving it their all in the final regatta of the season.
Girls and Boys aged 10-14-years-old raced canoe and kayak boats 500m down the lake to hopefully cross the finish line first.
Champs is only one part of several activities that take place on Banook Lake over many months of the year.
However, the Banook Canoe Club, standing for 125 years, is aging and according to its president and commodore, was getting closer and closer to sliding into the water.
Jim Johnson says it got to the point where the club needed to figure out a budget to save it, because it was so historic and important to the community.
Thursday, the province announced a $332,500 investment for green upgrades.
Johnson tells our newsroom receiving the money is a huge weight off their shoulders and is essentially a game changer so the club can continue to be there for years to come.
And what better way to announce it than in front of many kids cheering and having fun.
“The health benefits to the kids, mental health benefits to the kids which I can speak to directly… they are enormous. Immeasurable. And we want to make sure that we provide the best, safest most comfortable space for that to happen.”
Upgrades
What will the club get?
As part of their Paddles Up revitalization project, upgrades include rooftop solar panels, an HVAC system and five battery-powered motorboats.
They will not only be removing 35 tons of carbon, but the club will also be more sustainable and accessible.
Johnson says they are excited about dramatically decreasing their carbon footprint and making the club more sustainable.
They want to be an example for other all the other clubs and all the other lakes.
Always busy
The club is active almost all day for most of the year.
Johnson tells us it starts early.
“You know from 5:30/6 o’clock in the morning right until right after supper time that’s one of the busiest spots in the city to be sure. And we want to maintain our ability to stay on there and continue to provide the great stuff that we do for the community.”
Not only that but the club has year-round programming and is continuously growing.
“Our slogan at the club is there is no off-season. When the lake is frozen, we swim, we go to Cole Harbour place and swim and when the temperature is appropriate, we are right back on the water again as soon as March or April.”
They also want to fix up the indoor basketball court, add a pickleball court and even an elevator in the facility.
Johnson says “thank you” to the province and the Sustainable Community Fund for helping modernize the club.
He says Thursday was a shining example of “why we do what we do”.
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