Local Rotary clubs celebrate centennial

THUNDER BAY -- A century ago, there was no way for drivers to cross the Pigeon River.

Automobiles were a relatively new phenomenon. So too were Rotarians, having just signed their charter to form the Fort William-Port Arthur Rotary Club on May 17, 1916.

In what would foreshadow the original clubs’ lasting impact – the Lakehead Rotary Club would be introduced in 1984 – they joined forces with clubs south of the border, raised $5,500 and built what became known as the Outlaw Bridge, without the permission of either government.

The span didn’t last long and was eventually replaced.

But the Rotary Clubs survived and have had a lasting impact on the two communities, which in 1970 merged to form present day Thunder Bay.

For the next year, all three local clubs plan to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the international organization’s arrival to the region, a year-long festivity-filled milestone that kicked off on Tuesday at the Thunder Bay Museum, where a history of the three local chapters is on display.

Darren Fisk, president of the Port Arthur Rotary Club, said it’s amazing to realize the history of the organization in Thunder Bay.

“I always tell people it’s not so much the 100 years. That’s a great number. But it’s the tens of thousands of lives that Rotary has touched locally and internationally over the years,” Fisk said.

“It really is a truly lasting legacy, when you start to think what organizations in community or government have existed for 100 years and how much the world has changed. For Rotary to have had the continuity is amazing.”  

The original club split in half in 1924, with the Fort William branch officially adopting the Thunder Bay name following amalgamation in 1970.

Lakehead Rotary Club treasurer Clint Feschuk said the region would be a much different place if it wasn’t for the presence of the three clubs.

“We get together quite often doing things like the Rotary Christmas Parade. We contributed a lot of money toward the Rotary Shelter House and led the way to make it a viable project. Whenever something important comes along you’ll find Rotarians and Rotary Clubs stepping up, whether it’s controversial or not,” Feschuk said.

“And that goes right back to the Outlaw Bridge back in 1918.”

Bev Knutson, president of Fort William Rotary Club, said the organization’s motto, service above self, says it all.

“When I look at the things we’ve done … and the services that is performed in the community, the fundraising that’s done to help community organizations achieve their goal, really it has a very large impact,” she said.

The Fort William Rotary Canada Day House Lottery draw will be held on July 1 at Marina Park. The Thunder Bay Rotary Clubs Christmas Parade is scheduled for Nov. 19 and the centennial anniversary gala will be held on Feb. 17, 2017 at the Valhalla Inn.