McLean Community Centre hub of fun
Jun 19, 2009 - 09:51 AM
By Keith Gilligan
AJAX -- This is Our Ajax turned out to be a popular event, as hundreds came out to the McLean Community Centre for fun.
Hosted by the Town on June 13, the event was an Ajax Home Week activity, said Howie Dayton, the director of recreation and culture.
"It's a community event. We're trying to connect people to the community, to community groups," Mr. Dayton said. "It's pretty much getting people to meet people."
There were 20 community support organizations and it's a chance to "introduce themselves to residents."
One group was the 1st Pickering Scouts.
"We're showing people how much fun scouting is," said scout Nick Debets.
With him were Ryan Clark and William Hume.
"We've been around since 1920," said Ryan.
The Ajax Fire and Emergency Services had its fire house there, giving people a chance to learn about fire safety.
The longest lineups were for the jumping castles. One of those who had fun in the jumping castle was Christine McMullen, eight.
"Yes, yes, yes," Christine said when asked if she had fun.
Her brother Daniel, four, didn't want to go in the castle.
The Durham Region Astronomical Association had three telescopes set up, but the cloud cover ruined the view.
Other clubs on hand were the Ajax-Pickering Netball Club, Canadian Cheer, a cheerleading organization, and the Ajax Trails Advocacy Committee.
Sigogini Sivarajah, with the Tamil Cultural and Academic Society of Durham, said the group was there to "display items of our culture." That included clothing, jewelry and "our God Ganesha."
They also were doing henna, a temporary tattoo design, for anyone wanting one.
"We want to show our diversity," Ms. Sivarajah said.
Eric Mitchell was volunteering in the gymnasium, but hadn't been busy as not many came in.
"Kids come in and we'll teach them how to play volleyball or badminton if they don't know how," said Eric, a Grade 10 student at Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School.
The Durham Regional Police Road Watch had a table.
"We get so many complaints about aggressive driving and speeding. We have the tools to address those needs," Road Watch volunteer Dave Bisson said.
Ajax Ringette Club players Miranda Pilon, Melissa Kay and Tesa Seeley were also on hand.
"We're trying to promote ringette and get people involved," Miranda said.
Ajax Home Week continues this weekend. Check the Ajax News Advertiser or
www.newsdurhamregion.com for more information.
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