Egremont Optimist Club - History

September 21, 1988 saw the dawning of the new Optimist Club. Four local promoters, Bill Daniels, George Bossie, Ivan Steele and Ross Gedes with the help of the sponsoring Kitchener Waterloo club, encouraged 46 members to join that night. Ivan Steele, Ross Gedes and George Bossie served as the first three presidents. The club held dinner meetings at the Watra resort and business meetings in a room above the Credit Union in Holstein.

The Optimist Club promoted youth and community betterment. Youth activities, including public speaking, spelling bees, essays and bicycle safety, carry on to this day.

There was a recognized need for a community centre because old halls in Dromore and Holstein had been demolished. In the mid 1990’s the club acquired the present site North of Holstein. A portable classroom was bought from the Egremont Community School and served as the club’s quarters for 10 years.

The next milestone occurred on September 17, 2005 with the grand opening of the new Community Centre. People from near and far who come to visit the centre praise the hall and kitchen facilities. Faith and hard work combined to help raise funds and undertake large loans to complete the project. The Optimist Club now contributes about $30,000.00 annually to community and youth work and has reduced the big loan to a manageable level.

Community activities help to promote economic activity in former Egremont township.

These include the Canada Day Fireworks, the Holstein Maplefest and the Holstein Rodeo. The latter two also serve as fund raisers when the weather cooperates to bring large numbers to the events.

These funds are then recycled in the area to assist additional youth activities ranging from minor hockey to Big Brothers and Sisters, to soccer, to school trips, to musical exchanges, to 4H and children with severe health problems.

Contributions to groups like Parkinsons and Cancer Societies help people of all ages.