Friendship Club gets upgrade through Trillium Grant

The Wheatley Friendship Club has received a $66,000 Trillium Grant from the Ontario government and put it to great use in helping with major renovations at the club on Erie Street North.

Three areas were helped at the club through the grant, with major renovations to the billiards room, the library and a chairlift on the basement stairs to help those with mobility issues reach those newly renovated areas.

The Friendship Club building — formerly a school — is well over 100 years old and the renovations have helped make the club much more comfortable for the 150 members who use it on a regular basis.

Chatham-Kent Leamington MPP Trevor Jones was on hand for the announcement at an open house on Wednesday, May 22, and even took on a few members in a friendly game of snooker.

“The value is in our community,” said MPP Jones. “Social and mental wellness give us a greater outlook.”

Down in the billiard room, the concrete floor had to be dug up and repaired before a new floor could be laid. In addition, a new ceiling had to be installed along with new lights and a fresh coat of paint on the walls. The billiard room was an old classroom at one time, with blackboards still on the walls.

The chairlift replaced an older chairlift and was installed by Southwest Stairlifts. The library, located along the basement’s main hallway, has new flooring and brighter lighting for easier, more comfortable access.

The Friendship Club bustles with activities such as cards, chair yoga, watercolour classes, quilting, billiards, the treasure room and regular rounds of bingo — all for people 50 and over.

“Since Covid and the Wheatley explosion, it is wonderful to see the Friendship Club finally get back up and running with help from the Ontario Trillium Foundation Grant,” said club secretary and treasurer Linda Wigfield. “We are now able to welcome our members back.”

Club president Helen Symons was quick to thank Christine Lehn, Executive Director of the Leamington Half Century Centre, for her help in writing the grant application.

Lehn was quick to credit club leaders for their work on the grant.

“Linda, Pat and Helen deserve the credit here,” she said. “It was their vision. I was just happy to help.”

Helen Symons also thanked Advanced Basement Systems, Southwest Stairlifts, Simpson Electric and Ab-Tech Renovations for all of their help with the work that was done.

“The positive impact of the Wheatley Friendship Club cannot be overstated,” said MPP Jones. “Thanks to everyone who made this possible.”