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Orono Weekiy Timesý, Wednesday, December 20,19- continued from page 2 Editorial condemned.' They were told'be then Mayor Garnet Rickard that they would have to raise $263,000 from local subscriptions to build the complex. On June 25, 1977, the Orono Firefigbters held an auction sale with aIl proceeds going towards the arena. That was only one of many fund-raisers that were held be the people of the community, which also î'ncluded door-to-door canvassing. By the time Council had approved the construction of the arena on October 3, the committee had already raised $37,000. The Kinsmen donated $20,000 to the project less than a month later. Tbey were given a set target in which to, work towards. And by September of 1981, the Orono Community had paid off in full without aniy support from the municipality their portion of the debt on the building. They did it tbrough sacrifice, dedication, and bard-work. Even today, when tbey need to replace the ice resurfacer, tbey are raisîng the money from the commuinity ratber than ask for- it to be given to them. This bas always been a sense of pride to the people of Orono, that they, were able to -d o this. Similar fund-raising and work brought about tbe otber projects. What also bas been let out of this argument is that Wintario matched wbatever tbe communities could raise for the project. Without that provin cial support, none of those projects would bave been feasible. Tbat additional funding is not there today.. 1 I support tbe reasons bebind tbe need for the Courtice Complex. The population bas grown and tbe need is great. The otber complexes in Clarington are in fact stretcbed to tbeir limait, witb more People wanting to use tbem then can be admitted. Courtice does need a rec. complex. But tbe time is not rigbt. In, myopinion, the municipality sboufld bave waited until the provincial budget in April carne to decide the issue. It will take the Town's financial department a few montbs just to reorganize from tbese first cuts anid tell exactly wbat effcct tbey will bave, let alone any new cuts destined to corne our way. Mr. Hannab poînted out that it. was saving tbe taxpayers money by buildin g tbe facility now. If tbese cuts that are believed to be on their way in April are even deeper than expected, wbrere will tbat leave the project? In my opinion (wbicb bhas been echoed by many residents in Orono) tbe time just is not rigbt for tbis project. Let tbe Courtîce Community raise a significant amount of- money first before tbe p roject receives the municipality's blessing. Obviously'it is impossible to raise tbe entire amrount; the amount needcd would continue to grow faster tban tbe fund-raising efforts would be *bringing in., Tbey just need to show tbe true dcptb of tbeir commitment, not just a fcw concerned residents, but as a wblole. It was stated tbat Courtice needs sucb a complex to belp establisb a sense of community. Wby can tbey flot developthis sense of community wbile working towards a common goal, sucb as tbe complex? I bave bad my say on tbe wbole project. My opinion is flot necessanily tbe right one, but it is the way 1 feel. If those of you feel the same way, then it is up to you to speak up. As it stands, the complex is a go. Tbat could becbanged, if that is wbat people wanted. If not, tbe complex wilî go on as planncd. If, it does go on, tben I hope tbat my fears about the timing being wrong arc off tbc mark, because if tbey are flot, our municipality could be in severe trouble. I would actually love notbing more tban to be proven wrong in this instance, but 1 don't feel that tbis wiII bappen. ipeter Hooey You brouglit smiles, joy and laughter to pveryone. LoiVe Always Mom, Dati, Sister Katie, proud Gralidma Hoocy and Aunt ManWe xoxo Check Out This Deal From Norcom Cellular $19,95*/mno, *OA.C Cail for details vox 400 Receive a .Fr ter ~pe a cgaeten edWrraflt Bell Mobility Lordy, Lordy Frank is 40