Unfortunately, the heavy accumulation of snow was too much for a landmark building in Hanmer situated beside the St. Joseph’s ball field. Known as the "Lion’s Den", this facility was home to the Valley East Lion’s Club in recent years. If you visit the Vision web site at we will update you on what the Lion’s Club intends to do with respect to replacing or rebuilding the structure.

At this time, however, we are seeking the help of our readers as we attempt to uncover some of the history of this building. Is it true that the building was once a church or a school? Was the original owner one of the first settlers in the area? Please dispel some of the rumours that are floating around the neighbourhood. If you know anything about the history of the building, please contact us by phone, fax, letter or email so that we can let the rest of our readers in on the secrets.

UPDATE ON LION’S DEN REBUILDING PROJECT

Marcel Servais, spokesperson for the Valley East Lion’s Club, has informed The Vision Paper that it is the intention of his organization to do everything possible to reconstruct the facility which was destroyed beyond repair by heavy snow on the roof this past winter. The building which was located beside the St. Joseph’s Park and Hanmer ball field, was the Lion’s home base for twelve years.

"For the past 12 years we have completely looked after the building. It has not cost the town a penny," commented Servais. "We maintained the property, had the snow removed from the parking lot, put in over $30,000 worth of renovations and took care of all necessary repairs and maintenance costs."

The Lion’s are making proposals to the City of Greater Sudbury for a shared agreement with respect to the payment of the $50,000 deductible to the insurance company to have the building replaced. However, since the facility was listed as one of the surplus buildings in the new city, Servais and his people are meeting with some opposition.

"We feel that we can conduct a successful fund-raising campaign in Valley East to raise $25,000 and we would like the City to put in the other $25,000," Servais explained. "But now we’re told that if the insurance claim is put in, it will increase the premiums for the City and make the cost of replacement that much greater."

Currently, the Lion’s are using the former Our Lady of Fatima School on Percy Street in Blezard Valley as temporary headquarters. However, that is not satisfactory to the membership, according to Servais.

"For years we have held Sunday breakfast meetings twice a month; other special meetings; community events; our young people use the building; and a number of other organizations have been allowed to use the facility for their meetings and functions. This location is crucial to our continued effectiveness as a volunteer organization and that is why it is so important that we be allowed rebuild on the former site. The place needs to be made available to the volunteer groups," added Servais.

The Lion’s will continue to work with the City officials in an attempt to arrive at a financial plan which will allow the building to be reconstructed. It is actually the first time that the City of Greater Sudbury can take definite action to prove that it will respond to the needs of the outlying areas. With Mayor Jim Gordon’s Volunteer Task Force preparing a report for City Council, it would not serve local politicians well to ignore the pleas of the Lion’s - one of the most respected volunteer groups in the entire region. Everyone in Valley East is well aware of the contributions that the Lion’s have made to this community. They do a tremendous amount to enhance the quality of life for so many people in this area. Now they are merely asking to have their home restored so that they can continue their mission.