July 4, 2024

ANOTHER MILE ‘STONE’ AS ROTARIANS ROCK GULL LAKE ROTARY PARK TODAY WITH NEW SEATING

GRAVENHURST — July 4 is now definitely a historic day in Gravenhurst especially at Gull Lake Rotary Park.

Sixty-five years to the day after Queen Elizabeth dropped in to open the Barge — Rotary Rocked the Barge this afternoon.

The setting was jovial as Rotarians, the town and community members marked another mile “stone” in the park’s history.

A couple hundred people joined a celebration marking the beginning of a rebirth of the Barge with amphitheatre seating for more than twice that number.

When it comes to family photos, Rotarian Greg Poole captured a great one from on stage looking out a 150 joyous music lovers sitting pretty front and centre.

Rotarians filled the front row of seats for Rock the Barge’s grand opening Thursday afternoon, with 125 supportive music lovers sitting on the other five rows of seats. This is the view entertainers will look out upon this summer and for decades to come. Photo Rotarian Greg Poole

At this point, who needed music — although Rotarian Steve Rae performed an excellent pre-ceremony set.

And when it came to making it official, the ribbon cutting by Mayor Heidi Lorenz and present and past Rotary presidents John Latour and Kay Godden were mere feet right of where the Queen and Prince Philip performed the same duties the same day in 1959.

With Rotarians, councillors and supporters crowding in for the photo-op, the mood was giddy.

The only one missing was Rotarian Norm Rippon, who passed away this past year after spear-heading the super service club’s 85^th anniversary project.

**Rock the Barge chair Dave Reid, Pam McDivitt, Kathryn McGill, Richard Augustine, Ken Little and Mayor Heidi Lorenz applaud the grand opening. Photo Rotarian Greg Poole**

But there were plenty of others who joined in on his vision as Rotary with the town’s great help began the revitalization of Gull Lake Rotary Park, which is expected to see a facelift of the Barge itself next year in phase two.

With so much seating now overlooking Gull Lake, the potential for more concerts and lake events is enormous — even if there were a few supporters who still sat back and enjoyed the festivities out of the sun and beneath a canopy of shade from the towering pines.

The Rotary flag flew proudly over “their park” today.

This Sunday’s start of the popular music series will be an even bigger musical event.

Thanks to Rippon and Rotarians.