Community club can’t run without community

Chalmers needs more volunteers to have more programs

Ray Nault lives only about a five-minute-drive away from Chalmers Community Centre, but it takes him four times longer to get there.

The Elmwood resident has been helping out with the club’s hockey program for nearly 20 years. And for most of those years, he’s been getting around on a scooter.

Nault has muscular dystrophy, a disease that weakens his muscles. But he doesn’t let that keep him from showing up at the club to unlock the doors for the kids or assist with hockey practices.

In fact, he says his disease has made him give up more of his free time.

“You gotta have something to do. You can’t sit at home. You can only watch so much TV, and then your mind goes stagnant,” said Nault, who is in his 50s.

Members of the club say they wish they had more people like Nault.

Club vice-president Martina Richter says the club could offer more programs for kids and adults if more people would agree to volunteer.

“We don’t have enough volunteers to open the canteen or clean the ice,” she said.

Richter was pleased, however, that four new members joined the club’s board at its annual general meeting on March 30.

Still, the club had to delay its election of officers for an hour or so, because not enough community members had showed up to vote. Richter said the club needs 21 voters before any ballots can be drawn.

Amy Semko, one of the new board members, says one of the reasons she’s volunteering is to be a good role model for her two sons.

“One of the best things in the world is when kids can come to a safe place that keeps them out of trouble,” said Semko.

“Some kids get something at a club they can’t get at home.”

Richter said she doesn’t want people to think Chalmers will close like Kelvin Community Centre.

“We’re still continuing on. Yes, it’s tragic that Kelvin closed, but we’re still here,” she said.

“Maybe funding won’t be there one day, but we don’t give up.”

Richter said Kelvin didn’t have enough volunteers and needed major renovations to its building.

Chalmers Community Centre has had a few renovations recently, but still has a few empty rooms waiting to hold programs, said Richter.

Marlene Amell, executive director of the General Council of Winnipeg Community Centres (GCWCC), says Chalmers is a beautiful building and is continuing to receive upgrades.

GCWCC helps community clubs with program funding and identifying needs in their communities.

She says Chalmers will be getting some basketball nets and lines put in for a volleyball court.

Chalmers is open for a few hours in the evenings, when the city runs a drop-in centre at the building.

“For the kids, it keeps them out of trouble,” said Richter, who has been volunteering at Chalmers for about 15 years.

“I’m mother hen,” she said with a laugh.

“When I know they’ll be taken care of, I’ll step down.”