KENILWORTH – The Senior Citizen Hall in Arthur officially has a new name.
On Dec. 16, Wellington North council approved a request from the Arthur Optimist Club to rename the facility the “Arthur Optimist Town Hall,” reflecting a 15-year lease agreement that names the club as manager of the building.
“The current name has served the building well, but we believe a new name could better reflect our club and how we are working to preserve the building and improve the condition of it,” stated a Nov. 28 letter to township chief administrative officer Brooke Lambert from Optimist Club president Tim Wright.
“A name change could enhance our identity and foster a greater sense of community among residents and visitors alike.”
The club took over management and maintenance of the hall, located at 244 Isabella St. E., on July 1, saving the Arthur Seniors Club from eviction.
The seniors club uses the building for a variety of activities and programs, including euchre, bridge, exercise classes provided by the Victorian Order of Nurses, special events and more.
Its decade-long lease had expired at the end of 2023, and the municipality had proposed replacing the agreement with one that would see the club cease to pay rent but take over responsibility for building maintenance and management.
The seniors club did not want to take that on, but the Optimist Club was willing.
The Optimists agreed to a lease agreement with the township that sees the club paying $1 per year, and taking on responsibility for general hall maintenance as well as capital expenditures.
The seniors club was to be the hall’s main tenant, paying its rent to the Optimist Club.
A condition of the club’s agreement with the township states that if the club wanted to change the name of the facility, the club would need to submit a written request to council for approval.
Reached by email, club past president Scott Densmore told the Advertiser the club chose to include “town hall” in the name to emphasize that it is not just for one club.
“It is for the town people to use and we want it to be used as much as possible,” Densmore stated.
Mayor Andy Lennox expressed his support for the change, noting the building had previously been known as “Town Hall” before it had become the Senior Citizen Hall.
“It’s going back to the town hall, only the Optimist Town Hall this time,” he said.
Councillor Penny Renken also expressed her support.
“The Optimist Club is very beneficial to our community, and I’m very pleased that they are taking over the building and saving what I think should be a historical building,” Renken said.
