RELOCATION COMMITTEE UPDATE (Jan. 2012)
Since February 5, 2010 the Relocation Committee has been tirelessly working to obtain a new home for Council 1504. Working in conjunction with the services of Ted Scharf and his company, Royal LePage Scharf Realty, there have been close to 50 properties that have been researched and/or viewed to determine the possibility of either a purchase or lease arrangement. At one point the possibility of constructing our own building was considered.
The original tactic was the hope to purchase a structure to include many of the amenities that Council enjoyed at Columbus Hall, such as ample parking; kitchen facilities; green space; meeting rooms; washrooms; with an interior of 2000 to 3000 square feet. However, in our initial search, the availability of properties with those features was very scarce. Many properties had certain characteristics that were acceptable but lacked more important requirements. So in the early days of the search, it was decided to re-focus and concentrate on leased properties rather than a purchase or even construction at this time.
The Relocation Committee decided that by re-thinking our needs and wants, and eliminating those amenities not mandatory at this time, it could make the search easier. By considering a lease arrangement, it would allow Council time to re-group and re-assess the availability of suitable properties to purchase. The Committee’s quest included many possibilities available but were rejected for one reason or another.
Some of the more high profile premises that were viewed with the intent to either purchase or lease included:
▪ 131 Strange Street
The former Kitchener Textiles company rejected. Location and size.
▪ The Rockway Centre
Refused K of C consideration by the City of Kitchener on their non-denominational religious grounds.
▪ The Alpine Club
Initially interested in K of C leasing space but discontinued discussions after discovering their monetary needs weren’t necessary.
▪ LCBO on Kingsway Drive
Lease costs too expensive and over 9000 square feet considered much more space than required.
▪ 25 Market Lane
Corporation made an offer on this property. Unfortunately was sold at a higher price.
▪ 37 Bruce Street
Several viewings with high interest. Unfortunately lack of parking, price and interior renovations were problems.
▪ 451 Ottawa Street (former Big Brothers building)
Lacked parking and too costly to renovate the irregular interior.
▪ Crock and Block Restaurant
Listing price at $899,000.00 considered too expensive.
▪ Post Office building at 4 Third Avenue
Good building. Very high interest by other potential purchasers. Lots of parking.
----------- Unfortunately too costly as many offers inflated original listed price of $679,000 to over $800,000
----------- even without new roof and interior renovation expense considered.
While these locations were several of the more visible properties available, there were countless other premises that were investigated and rejected by the Relocation Committee for one reason or another. Either the premises lacked parking, there was a shortage of interior room or it was considered too costly to either purchase or lease.
One of the major obstacles we continue to encounter is the requirement for an environmental assessment study on some properties. Ted Scharf suggested that it would be advisable to refrain from considering any property that would require that document. Even if the price was agreeable and a purchase was made with no environmental assessment done, it could prove very costly if the K of C decided to sell the property later.
Our group always investigates any lead that may be presented either through the offices of Ted Scharf or from any member Knight. Please feel assured the Relocation Committee, with assistance from Scharf Realty, will continue our relentless search for a suitable home for Council 1504 in order to return to its full schedule of charitable events it once enjoyed.
- submitted by Brother Gary Megaffin
2011-2012 Executive for Council 1504
Grand Knight – James Padgett
Deputy Grand Knight – Ted Jasica
Chancellor – Kevin Morrissey
Recorder – Scott Hyslop
Treasurer – Reinhart Schreiter
Advocate – Dave Obermeyer
Warden – Dave Hudder
Inside Guard – Kevin Walker
Inside Guard – Steve Kraemer
Outside Guard – Mike Szabo
Trustee – Ron Bremner
Trustee – Victor Castela
Trustee – Gary Megaffin
Council Chaplain – Fr. Wayne Lobsinger
Financial Secretary – Brian Schmalz
Past Grand Knight – Michael DeLenardo
ANNUAL CHARITIES RAFFLE WINNERS!
The lucky winners of the draw on May 22, 2011 were:
Prize # |
Prize |
Winner (Name and City) |
Ticket # |
Council # |
1 |
$5,000 |
Marc Perreault, Hanmer |
648926 |
5005 |
2 |
$5,000 |
F. Van Den Bruggen, Whitby |
692270 |
8309 |
3 |
$5,000 |
Michael Jordan, London |
431536 |
10843 |
4 |
$5,000 |
Denis Piette, Brantford |
398152 |
10340 |
5 |
$5,000 |
Gordon Nichol, Amherstview |
375163 |
9652 |
6 |
Walt Disney World Family Vacation $5,960 |
Bill McKay, Deep River |
192529 |
5649 |
7 |
Atlantic Maritimes Tour $6,480 |
Frank Farley, Peterborough |
751915 |
10785 |
8 |
Rocky Mountain Canadian Rockies Excursion $7,720 |
Bernie St. Amour, Ottawa |
561889 |
14337 |
9 |
Hawaii Escorted Tour $ 7,990 |
Rita Chapman, Orillia |
29808 |
1428 |
10 |
Travel Voucher $10,000 |
Margaret Donoghue, Brampton |
310150 |
9108 |
11 |
$10,000 |
Rita Bereziuk, Brantford |
55111 |
9262 |
12 |
$10,000 |
Conrad Levac, Sudbury |
370441 |
9619 |
13 |
$10,000 |
Navdeep Grewal, Guelph |
421590 |
6024 |
14 |
$10,000 |
Justin McKinlay, Gores Landing |
609438 |
1970 |
15 |
$10,000 |
Norman Emond, Grimsby |
41826 |
1454 |
16 |
$25,000 |
Hisham Marrow, Pickering |
571182 |
15045 |
17 |
2011 Dodge Calibre $26,367.10 |
Edward Davis, Caledon |
302745 |
8851 |
18 |
2011 Harley Davidson $30,088.82 |
Yvon Carey, Toronto |
254502 |
7724 |
19 |
2011 Dodge Caravan Rear ‘Stow and Go’ $34,456.00 |
Domingo Abug, Bolton |
414234 |
10614 |
20 |
2011 Chevrolet Camaro LS Coupe $35,605.32 |
Doug Miller, St. Catharines |
321562 |
9222 |
21 |
2011 Ford Flex SE FWD $ 37,168.82 |
John Zalger, Tecumseh |
377448 |
9671 |
22 |
2012 Ford Mustang convertible 2dr $40,832.72 |
Daniel Abiodun, Barrie |
61066 |
1626 |
23 |
2011 Chevrolet Traverse (FWD) $44,415.20 |
Lisa Cavers, Cottam |
640419 |
4555 |
24 |
$50,000 |
Leonard Chandrarajan, Kingston |
236994 |
7224 |
COUNCIL 1504 CENTENNIAL TRIP TO NOTRE DAME, INDIANA
Our 100th anniversary was capped off with the trip to Notre Dame University, November 12-14. We had a full bus of very happy Brother Knights and family members.
The weather on Friday was sunny and low 20’s which made it enjoyable to tour the campus. Some of our group was able to walk down the tunnel to the edge of the football field during their campus tour. Our accommodations were excellent as we stayed at the Sacred Heart Parish Center on campus.
We enjoyed a great day on Saturday, stopping off at the Knight of Columbus on campus for a steak on a bun (in 7 home games they raise $60,000 selling the steak on a bun) with a tailgate party and then the football game. The weather was cool and some rain till half time but just being there and experiencing the atmosphere was something to be a part of. Our tickets were all together in the end zone above the tunnel. The final score was ND 28; Utah 3.
On Sunday we went to Mass at the Basilica on campus, and then headed for home.
As one Brother Knight said after the trip: “Since the 1950’s I have watched and cheered Notre Dame, and this trip, especially with my son in my company, was truly a gift.”
Submitted by Brother Brian Schmalz
COUNCIL 1504 CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
We have just finished celebrating our 100th Anniversary of our Council — Father Funcken #1504. It was an amazing week with well-planned events for everyone to come out to see and participate. It was a week of looking back at our past, reading through articles and looking through photos of yesteryears.
To bring the week to a close a Mass was celebrated at St. Mary’s R.C. Church on Saturday, August 14th, and his Excellence Most Rev. Bishop Tonnos brought greetings and concelebrated over the Mass, led by the fourth degree honour guard. Our keynote speaker for the evening was our chaplain, Father Lobsinger, who spoke on his experiences of the Knights of Columbus and how it has made an impact on his life.
We sat down to a lovely banquet with about 160 people in attendance including various dignitaries such as State Deputy, Arthur Peters, District Deputy, Past Grand Knights, Grand Knights from other councils, politicians, and the mayor of Kitchener. The evening was brought to a close by providing a spectacular fireworks display that illuminated the sky.
