​Kincardine’s Davidson Centre has stood the test of time, says former recreation director

The Davidson Centre in Kincardine has stood the test of time.

That’s the word from Keith Davidson who served as Kincardine’s recreation director for more than 25 years and for whom the community centre is named.

This year marks 50 years since the original complex was built on Durham Street, and it has a long history as the recreational anchor for the Town of Kincardine and later, the Municipality of Kincardine.

In 1975, construction began on the $2-million facility, originally known as the Kincardine and District Community Centre. The official opening was set for September of 1975, but following some delays, the first event was held in November of 1975. The grand opening was held July 18, 1976, with Progressive Conservative leader Joe Clark attending.

Keith Davidson remembers what prompted the town to consider building a new recreation facility.

“It was 1973 and the recreation office was in the old Lambton Street arena,” he says. “That building was padlocked in the fall because it was condemned by the province. It had to be done, but we thought we were going to lose the whole winter season.

“Well, Nute Catto and Clarke Pollock organized a town hall meeting and we talked about repairing the old arena on the west side, fixing the trusses to support the roof. That got community support from Kincardine and area residents and the arena repair committee was formed.

“About 250 men from Kincardine and district volunteered their time and energy, putting 3,500 man-hours into the project, and using 50 tons of lumber to fix up the arena. In 10 days, the structure was up to building standards, and the total cost was $10,000. By November, 1973, the arena was back up and running.”



The Lambton Street Arena; photo courtesy of Bill Pace, from Kincardine history book (1848-1984)

Having put a band-aid on the old arena, the community began to take a serious look at a new multi-purpose facility, including an arena, community centre and an indoor pool, says Davidson.

“We’d been holding skate-a-thons, since 1972,” he says. “Well, in 1974, that event saw 586 participants and raised $26,636 for the building fund for a new community centre. Forty-eight people skated the full 24 hours, including six adults: Bill Nagle, Alex Blunt, Frank Pearce, Nute Catto, Clayton Chaput and John Cutting. Dr. Gary Gurbin skated 23 hours, but he had to go and deliver a baby!”

The building committee researched community centres in other towns and cities, including the arena in Brampton, says Davidson.

“I loved that place,” he says. “It had ramps throughout the building for accessibility. I wanted ours to be built like that and it was.

“I’m so proud of the Davidson Centre. It has certainly stood the test of time. In the past few years, the gymnasium was added and a seniors’ room, as well as the health club and fitness centre. It is certainly a focal point for the community and appeals to people of all ages, helping bridge the generation gap.
 

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Keith Davidson was the Kincardine recreation director for more than 25 years; the Davidson Centre is named after him, from Kincardine history book (1848-1984)

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“I remember the sign I had placed in the building as you went up the first ramp, that said ‘Recreation is for everyone – all ages – all interests – all abilities'. It was there for about five years after I retired but then it disappeared for some reason.”

Davidson says the original plan called for a second ice surface to the west of the building, with the required refrigeration system installed to accommodate that. However, the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority would not allow it, so it was never built.

In 1986, the town held “Keith Davidson Day” in honour of his 25 years of service as recreation director.

“It was certainly a proud day for me,” recalls Davidson. “The Town of Kincardine designated the complex as the Davidson Centre for Kincardine and District, recognizing my hard work and dedication to the recreation department for more than 25 years. There’s a plaque in the trophy case at the centre, with the designation by His Worship, mayor Charles Mann.

“You know, every time I drive by the Davidson Centre, I slow down and look at Lions Park and I say to myself, ‘Thank God, that’s a park and not a fire hall!’

“The fire chief at the time, just after the Davidson Centre was built, wanted a new fire hall right there, even though it was designated as a park. I objected to it and I even put my job on the line over it.

“Dawn Pollock was in Grade 11 at the time, and she started a petition to keep the park. She got 489 signatures and took it to council, and we saved that park. And now, look at the great job the Lions have done with it!”

The town chose the site on Durham Street because it was close to the high school, elementary schools and parks. It also has an athletic field and the outdoor track.

Once the Davidson Centre opened, the old Lambton Street arena was closed and then torn down.



The Davidson Centre in Kincardine was officially opened in July, 1976, photo courtesy of S. Murphy, from Kincardine history book (1848-1984)

Lambton Street was actually the location of three successive arenas. According to the Kincardine history book (1848-1984), the second one of these was officially opened Jan. 6, 1922. It succumbed to a heavy snow load in 1940, and the third arena opened Jan. 28, 1942. Norman Dean was the first arena manager of this facility. An artificial ice system was installed in 1949.

The structure was strengthened by volunteer help and repairs in the fall of 1973, which carried it through to September of 1976 when it was closed. In 1976, the new community centre was opened. It is situated on 55 acres of land and consists of an artificial ice arena, swimming pool, large hall, senior citizens’ rooms, and other related facilities. It was a showplace and unique to Bruce County at the time.

Wayne Lowry of Huron-Kinloss Township remembers being part of building the Davidson Centre. His construction company did all the excavating for the complex, including the pool and the parking lot. The crew had to extend Durham Street to the Dahmer Sideroad so that servicing connections could be made.

The site was just a big field before construction began, says Lowry. The crew had to fix the access in order to get equipment up the hill for the dig. This was before Durham Street was extended to Highway 21.

Lowry Construction went on to install servicing for a number of subdivisions on Durham and Russell Streets in Kincardine.

In celebration of the Davidson Centre’s 50-year milestone, the municipality is holding a celebratory hockey game, featuring the Toronto Maple Leafs Alumni versus the Kincardine Bulldogs Junior “C” Alumni.

Game day is Saturday, Sept. 20. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the puck drops at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at the Davidson Centre’s customer service desk or on-line: click here. All on-line ticket purchases may be picked up from the customer service desk at the Davidson Centre no sooner than 48 hours after purchase, between 8:30 a.m. and 8 p.m.



The Davidson Centre today, includes the arena, indoor swimming pool, Kincardine Hall, gymnasium, seniors' room and other meeting rooms, indoor walking track, health club and fitness centre, as well as the outdoor track and athletic fields