Bridges celebrates opening of new recreation centre with ribbon-cutting

Posted By Susan Hundertmark – June 2, 2010
Seaforth Huron Expositor

With only a month to go until the tennis courts are built, the new recreation centre at the Bridges of Seaforth held its ribbon-cutting ceremony last Friday.

Developers Bill McLean and Irv Teper welcomed Bridges homeowners and digitaries to the grand opening event of The Bridges Landing, the $3 million centre which has a pool, sauna, hot tub, yoga room, fitness room with workout equipment, a first aid room, crafts room, woodworking workshop, billiards room, cards room with poker tables, a library with two computer stations, great room with fireplace and a ballroom with a stage.

"It's a pretty special day for us," said McLean, who acknowledged a long list of people from tradespeople to politicians who helped in the 16-year development of the adult community beside the Seaforth Golf Club.

McLean particularly remembered Rod Doig, who was a partner in the development until his death a few years ago and the late Bill Carnochan, a Tuckersmith politician who was the first elected official in the area to throw his support behind the Bridges development.

"Without the local politicians in Seaforth, Huron East and Huron County, we wouldn't be here. We needed their support and they gave us everything we needed and more," he said.

Teper said the Bridges development was McLean's dream in which he included Teper.

"In 1994, we went for a drive and he told me to be careful because if we came here, I would fall in love and I did. It's been a 16-year overnight success," he said, thanking the homeowners of Bridges for "sticking with us."

Huron-Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell remembered how Bill Carnochan "lobbied me very hard for this project" and thanked the developers for choosing Huron East for the location of their development.

"Congratulations for your hard work and commitment and thank you for choosing this area to make your dream a reality. This is what the people want," she said.

Huron East Mayor Joe Seili also congratulated the Bridges community, encouraging everyone to take a tour of the new recreation centre.

"You'll be amazed at what can be done in a small community," he said.

On a tour of the facility, McLean said the recreation centre is a very busy place, with homeowners taking advantage of all of its features. Membership is limited to those who have bought a house at Bridges.

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