An Irish Centre in Lower Mainland
to Become a Reality by 2010
By CATHOLINE BUTLER
VANCOUVER - The Celtic Heritage Society of Canada held a special annual general meeting on October 18, at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown.
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IRISH HERITAGE SOCIETY Board members: Front row (L-R) Maureen Gerard, Director; Tony McCamley, President; Gwen McCamley, Treasurer; Adrienne Sutherland, Secretary and Thomas O'Flynn, Director. Back row (L-R) Vern Loewen, Director; Brendan Flynn, Director; Sean Quinn, Director; George McDonnell, Vice-President; Teresa McDonnell, Director; Ann Kerrigan, Director and Ivan Douglas, Second Vice-President. Absent John O'Flynn, Director.
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Two proposals were put forward for approval at the meeting which were of major interest to those assembled. The first proposal was that the Society change the name from Celtic Heritage to The Irish Heritage Society. The second proposal was that the proposed centre move from Burnaby to Langley.
President Tony McCamley explained the difficulties they were experiencing in trying to build the centre in Burnaby, particularly with zoning laws and the amount of money that was required up-front.
McCamley said he owns land in Langley and that he is willing to donate the land to have the centre built. The property is located near Walnut Grove at 208 and 83rd Avenue, in Langley. He visualizes the centre as being somewhat in the same style as the Italian Cultural Centre in Vancouver.
The centre will not only have a hall that can accommodate approximately 600 people, but there will also be an aging building with approximately 200 units which would be suitable for seniors with independent and assisted living.
Society members will of course have the first opportunity to buy these apartments and the profits from these apartments and hall rentals will help to build the centre.
The hall will be rented for conventions, weddings, meetings and the like. Facilities will also be able to accommodate the needs of the Irish dancing community, as well as a field nearby for Irish sporting events.
There will be facilities for all the various Irish groups in the community to hold meetings, weddings, functions and other events. There will of course be an Irish pub. There is good access to the property with a beautiful view of Golden Ears mountains along with existing residential and some commercial already around the property.
Tony McCamley said, "I've been in British Columbia for the past 40 years, and if this is the last thing I do...there will be an Irish Centre built, and it will be built by 2010."
With the re-election of the present board and the adding of some other directors, the above proposals were unanimously approved.
The centre will have an Irish theme with a heritage aspect to it. The actual name of the centre is to be decided but The Irish Village or Village of Athenry were two names mentioned.
What a wonderful, gracious, and most generous gift that Tony and Gwen McCamley have given the Irish community. Finally the Irish will have a centre of their own, something that has been talked and talked about for years....the McCamleys are making it a reality.
I truly believe that had Tony and Gwen McCamley not come forward at this time with this wonderful gift, not only this generation but the generations to come, that the time and enthusiasm for ever having an Irish centre would fade into oblivion. Thank you most sincerely Tony and Gwen McCamley.
For more information about the centre and to become a member of The Irish Heritage Society of Canada, call George McDonnell at (604) 270-2881, or e-mail: crumlin@shaw.ca.
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