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Tuesday, October 27, 1987 Copy 50¢ 48 Pages Fire caused an estimated $35,000 damage to this home just south of Seagrave on Durham Regional Road 2. The home is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Bernie Bashford, who had just moved into the house about two months ago. No one was injured in the blaze, although two people were treated for smoke inhalation. Above, firemen try to get at the fire which was contained in the at- tic of the house. Group meets to explore merits of sports centre A group of Scugog Township residents has been formed to ex- plore the possibility of developing a sports-fitness-recreation facility in the Township. The group of about 25 met for the first time last Thursday evening to initially try to determine what kind of public interest there would be in such a facility and to kick around ideas about how to bring this to a reality. The meeting was jointly organiz- ed by Port Perry lawyer Bryan Davies and businessman Gerry Jonkheers of Gerry's Produce and Distributing. At the outset of the meeting, Mr. Davies said the purpose of the get- together is "to find out if there is any interest in the community" for a sports-fitness facility. He said a facility might include such things as a gym, indoor jogging track, weight room, and courts for squash and raquet-ball. - He suggested there are three ways such a facility might be developed in the community: municipally operated; privately operated on a non-profit basis; or a private profit-making operation. Although there was much general discussion about a lot of general aspects of recreation-fitness and sports facilities (and lack of them) in Scugog Township there were no specific decisions made at this in- itial meeting. However, it was suggested that the recently completed Township Recreation Needs Study should be used as a guideline and that the best possible location for any new facili- ty is on municipal land near the Scugog Arena. And there was a lot of discussion about the pros and cons of a swim- ming pool in the community. Most agreed that an indoor pool would be great, but the cost factors in building and operating one are very high. Mr. Jonkheers said he felt the in- itial meeting was positive in the amount of interest shown by the peo- ple present, and their willingness to start working on committees and sub-committees. But he noted that even if the idea really catches on with the popula: tion at large in Scugog, the time frame for the development of any facility is a minimum of two years and probably in the three to five year range. The meeting broke up after more than an hour of discussion with those present agreeing to meet again on Thursday evening, November 12 at 7:30 PM. The location of the meeting will be decided in the next week or SO. It was also agreed that any other members of the community in- terested in doing some work on com- mittees (fund-raising etc.,) would be more than welcome to attend the next meeting November 12. Watch the Port Perry Star for fur- ther details on the location of this meeting. a Hallowe'en Vohonesn 1 0 \. Mock fire at oye J bh \ Utica Hall wnvercary.2 y, Durham Northumberland M.P. Allan Lawrence has announced that he will not be a candidate when the next federal election is called. The veteran Conservative politi- cian made the announcement last week, saying that after nearly 30 years in public life "now is the time to step aside into a different endeavour and to encourage others to serve in public life." Although the next federal election is at least 18 months away, Mr. Lawrence said he was making his intentions known at this time to give the local executive a chance to start looking for a candidate. "Supporters of any political par- ty should choose their candidate calmy and rationally, and the eve of an election campaign is not the best time for that," he stated. And Mr. Lawrence told the Star later, the Durham Northumberland Conservatives do not at this time have any "heir apparent' waiting in the wings. In making the announcement, he caused in fire A Seagrave area home is estimated to have received $35,000 damage in a fire which started in a prefab metal chimney late Sunday afternoon. Bernie Bashford told the Star that he and his wife were sitting in the kitchen talking when they noticed what appeared to be dust flying past the window. Moments later they "gg Cid A Al Lawrence calls it quits said that he will be pursuing "dif- ferent endeavours' when he official- ly steps down from elected office, and this likely includes the practise of law. Mr. Lawrence lives in (Turn to page 2) saw two cars make a U-turn in the middle of the highway and head back. A few minutes later they were aroused by someone banging on the front door and the passing motorist yelled at them that their house was on fire. Mr. and Mrs. Bashford had only (Turn to page 2) Meaghan Gauthier didn't have to be talked into trying out a sample of May Shortridge's homemade butter, just one of many old-fashioned demonstrations at Cartwright Central Public School during Heritage Day last Friday. For story and more photos, see page 18.