The Athabasca Lions Club celebrated 100 years of Lionism worldwide with a beautiful view over Athabasca Sept. 17.
Fittingly, the celebration was a barbecue held at the Lions Centennial Park, and it was also a re-opening of the park.
“We’re re-opening the Lions Centennial Park in commemoration with the Lions centennial year, too. That’s what we’re doing, to get the community out as well,” said Athabasca Lions Club president Rod Cunanan. “We added some features at the park that weren’t here before.”
The park was first opened in 2005 in recognition of Alberta’s centennial year. Since then, a sandbox and playground has been added to the park.
The barbecue was also a celebration of the volunteers who helped make the park possible.
“It would not happen if we don’t have volunteers. We thank all the volunteers that helped in that sense, because it’s really hard to get volunteers nowadays,” Cunanan said. “When you volunteer your time, you don’t help just the Lions per se; you help the community. You make the community a better community to live in.”
There were about 100 people that stopped by for a hamburger or hot dog and a slice of the centennial cake, and children did not hesitate to try out the new playground equipment.
Athabasca County Coun. and Lions Club member Larry Armfelt said the club has been around a long time, and their purpose is to make the community as good as it can possibly be.
“What the Lions Club has done for me and what I’ve observed in Athabasca is that they’ve found a niche where they’re needed, and they’ve responded,” he said.
