The house that Jim built

He was optimistic from the outset. Even as the ink on the report spelling the end of the DukeDome was drying, Jim Dunlop was already working to get the Wellington and District Community Centre rebuilt.

Not every one was as confident. There were many good and some less good reasons to question the development of a new arena in Wellington. Some worried that a new rink didn’t make sense in a community trending older than the national average. Others said a second pad in Picton would save money. Or that Bloomfield was more central. Still others said a new arena was a frivolous extra taxpayers couldn’t afford. They said it couldn’t be done.

They didn’t understand. They didn’t know the role hockey and the arena has played in the history of this community— the arena’s role as a social centre of the community. It was and remains the market square—the place where neighbours meet, talk and enjoy themselves. They come to be entertained by their granddaughter learning to skate, their son’s first goal, a figure skater’s thrilling spiral, or the Dukes defeating Kingston for the East Division crown. They didn’t understand that history and community reside at the arena in Wellington.

They didn’t understand the determination of Jim Dunlop. Before most of council had even read the consultant’s report recommending the development of a new arena Dunlop was in front of them to explain why a new facility had to be built, and built in Wellington.

Jim was never belligerent. Never loud or insisting. Instead he was persistent and unrelenting in pursuit of his goal.

There were public meetings around the County—attended mostly by folks from Wellington. Jim’s neighbour Betty Cronk was there. Betty is getting up there in years and doesn’t drive. She lives several kilometers outside the village. But on a nasty and cold winter night Betty managed to get herself to the meeting at the school to explain why a new arena must be built in Wellington. Hers was a very persuasive voice.

Council was soon on board; but there was still the matter of finding $12 million.

Committees were struck to begin planning and design. Jim volunteered to head the fundraising effort. At the time the task looked impossible: $12 million was a lot of money. And while governments were doling out cash for sewage plant and road improvements, there was very little being spent on recreation and sports.

Jim was fearless however. Even if it took years he would persist and the money would be found.

Then came some luck. That fall, financial markets around the world collapsed under the weight of billions of dollars of bad loans made to homeowners in the U.S.. Major investment banks failed—others were on the brink. Banks stopped lending to each other. The world’s financial system ground to a halt in September of 2008.

In response western governments, including Canada’s, began to spend billions of dollars in an attempt to force money to begin circulating again.

The Wellington and District Community Centre application for funding was already in the queue seeking approval when governments began opening their wallets in January, 2009, for public infrastructure spending.

In February, MP Daryl Kramp and MPP Leona Dombrowsky announced the good news that the federal and provincial governments would fund two-thirds of the $12 million arena price tag. The County was on the hook for the other third, of which the community was expected to come up with $1.5 million.

Nobody had ever raised this kind of money in the County before. It wasn’t at all clear that it would even be possible. The voices of the naysayers still echoed in the distance.

The early signs, however, were positive. Jim began receiving cheques and pledges almost immediately. Families wrote big cheques. Businesses stepped up to do their part. Hundreds of individuals purchased bricks and seats. Service groups, church organizations, clubs—virtually every group that gathers somewhere in the County found a way to give.

At times over the past year it appeared the goal might not be met as the donations dried up. But Jim never saw it that way. He remained positive—persistently nudging each and every potential donor.

This past Saturday, Jim received a $50,000 pledge from a builder and developer, putting him just a few thousand dollars short of his goal. It is entirely possible that he will be over the top by Sunday’s opening ceremonies.

It is wrong to say that the development of such a project is the work of one man—many, many folks have worked long and tirelessly to see this dream realized. Not the least of these are the members of the Rekindle the Spirit committee— Nancy Baldwin, Nancy Parks, Dennis Carnrike, Pierre Lebrun, Doug Robinson and Arena Manager Andrew Morton.

Jim Dunlop, however, has been the face of this project— the quiet, determined force pushing this arena from the very beginning through to the end. He has fought countless battles, endured criticism and stickhandled dozens of complaints and grievances.

Through it all his optimism has never wavered, never sagged.

He always understood why he was doing this. Not for personal gain—but to restore the continuity of an important place—a place where history and community come together.

So as you wander around this impressive facility this week or next—remember these things just don’t happen— people like Jim Dunlop make them happen.

rick@wellingtontimes.ca