New and Exciting Developments
on Proposed New Irish Cultural Centre
By CATHOLINE BUTLER
"We need the support of the community now
to ensure the approval of the building permits."
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TONY and Gwen McCamley at the recent annual general meeting of the Irish Heritage Society.
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VANCOUVER - The Irish Heritage Society of Canada held their annual general meeting on October 17 at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown where a new executive was elected.
John Cameron of Athenry Developments Limited, who put together a business plan for the proposed new Irish Cultural Centre, presented an update report.
He said new and exciting developments are in the works for the building, along with an affordable seniors residence centre in Langley.
Athenry Development Limited is the vision of Tony and Gwen McCamley and it is their company that is responsible for the project.
Cameron described the centre as being first-class and explained that they are now entering public hearings with the township regarding the approval of permits and applications.
Tony McCamley invited everyone to attend the public hearings and, in doing so, lend support for the project and show how excited the community is to have such a facility being built in Langley.
He said that the Irish Heritage Society has the support of Kurt Alberts, the Mayor of Langley, who is very excited about having such a magnificent facility in his community.
"The centre will be run by the Irish," said McCamley, "and we need the support of the community now to ensure the approval of the building permits.
"I also encourage groups and individuals within the community to write letters showing support for the centre. We need more new members and paid-up memberships in order to obtain more grants for the centre."
Many members are already aware that Tony and Gwen McCamley are owners of New West Gypsum Company, which is now a multinational company.
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THERE ARE exciting developments in the works for the proposed new Irish Cultural Centre. Above is an artists' sketch of the proposed centre to be built in Langley, B.C.
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When landfills stopped accepting discarded drywall, the McCamleys built and patented a machine to recycle the product. Now, they do business in several different languages and operate drywall recycling plants around the world.
For years, the local Irish community has been talking about establishing an Irish centre and several attempts have been made to fulfill this dream, but somehow the dream always became a nightmare.
That's changed now with Tony and Gwen McCamley on-board and they are well on the way to finally making that dream a reality. I guess it's the old story, "'if you want something done, ask a busy person." Irish-born Tony McCamley has vowed that if it's the last thing he does....this centre will be built.
An Irish Cultural Centre will indeed be an extraordinary gift to the Irish community from the McCamleys and they are to be commended for their generous donation of time, land, and resources to build this impressive building.
Along with the centre, an affordable seniors home is planned on the same property. What a wonderful place for the seniors to enjoy their heritage and golden years, in a warm and friendly atmosphere among like-minded friends.
Everyone is invited to an "open house," on November 17, from 5-8 PM at Willoughby Hall (Willoughby Hall is located where the centre will be built), located at 8230 - 208 Street (corner of 83rd Avenue) in Langley. This is part of the Irish Heritage Society's centre development process.
For more information on memberships and how you can help facilitate the building of this much needed Irish Cultural Centre and seniors residence, call John Cameron at Athenry Developments Ltd. at (604) 319-4254, or e-mail: johncameron@shaw.ca.
Vice-President George McDonnell invited members and friends to attend the society's annual Christmas Party on December 15, at St. Mary's Ukranian Hall, located at 16th Avenue and Ash Street in Vancouver.
The event will feature music by the popular Celtic group, Blackthorn, along with the De Danaan Irish dancers and carol singing. Santa Claus will also be dropping by for the kids.
For more information, call George at (604) 270-2881, or e-mail: crumlin@shaw.ca.
The New Executive of the Irish Heritage Society of Canada
President - John A. (Tony) McCamley
First Vice President - George McDonnell
Second Vice President - Ivan Douglas
Secretary - Adrienne Sutherland
Treasurer - Gwen McCamley
Director - Thomas O'Flynn
Director - John O'Flynn
Director - Teresa McDonnell
Director - Maureen Gerard
Director - Vern Loewen
Director - Brendan Flynn
Director- Ann Kerrigan
Director - Mark McDonnell
Director - Tom Scanlon
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