The nearly 39 million dollar Regional Rec Centre in Owen Sound has officially been named The Julie McArthur Regional Recreation Centre.
McArthur was an employee with Miller Group companies in Owen Sound and an active volunteer in our community.
McArthur volunteered at the Yellow Brick House and Sandgate, The United Way, and the Canadian Cancer Society.
McArthur died suddenly in 2007 and her father, Leo McArthur made a generous Founder donation to the Rec Centre.
A Founder level donation is worth one million dollars.
CEO of the YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce, Gayle Graham, says the name will be displayed on front of the building on 10th Street East and on a donor wall inside the front doors.
Owen Sound Mayor Deb Haswell says McArthur was a wonderful, loving, family oriented person and notes this couldn’t be a better tribute.
The YMCA also announced on Wednesday that it had surpassed their fundraising goal of five million dollars.
Haswell says this community has really stepped up to the plate with the ambitious fundraising goal.
She adds so many people have done so much to enrich our community through the Rec Centre.
Haswell notes the centre is stopping summer traffic — she says people are looking for reasons to live here and this is one.
The Julie McArthur Regional Recreation Centre will officially open in September – but all areas of the facility are now open to the public.
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YMCA News Release
The regional recreation centre in Owen Sound’s Victoria Park is to be named for the late Julie McArthur following a generous gift at the Founder Level from her father, Owen Sound-raised businessman Leo McArthur. The McArthur family has long standing roots in our community and this generous gift of the family and his company is an investment for future generations.
Julie McArthur died suddenly in October of 2007. She was a highly respected and invaluable employee with Miller Group companies. After completing university Julie worked for a time in Owen Sound in the family business prior to assuming responsibility at the Miller Group Head Office in Markham. Julie was also active as a volunteer. She cared about the people in her community, devoting much of her personal time to working with various charities and service organizations. She volunteered with the Yellow Brick House and Sandgate, shelters for abused women and their children, and campaigned for The United Way and Canadian Cancer Society, all organizations with a strong focus on improving the lives of children and families.
“I’m thinking of all the children who will grow up skating and swimming and playing in the new centre, Leo McArthur said in a statement. Naming the centre for Julie seems a fitting memorial, he said. She would be proud to be associated with a centre that will provide healthy activities and support to children and families from all backgrounds, abilities and circumstances.
Leo McArthur, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Miller Group of construction and service companies, said The Julie McArthur Regional Recreation Centre will be a place for people to be active for all their lives, for fitness, for recreation and for competition. Our family is proud to support this excellent resource for our community. This is something Julie would have wanted.
We thank Leo McArthur for his foresight in making this legacy gift which has enabled us to meet our fundraising goal, Campaign Co-Chair Sonya Mount said. Mr. McArthur has family and business roots in this community and his donation to this multi-generational project demonstrates his commitment to the long term health and well-being of area residents.
All areas of the Julie McArthur Regional Recreation Centre are now open for the community. The double ice pad arena opened for use in April, while the Family Y Health, Fitness, Recreation and Aquatic Centre opened at the end of June.
