Hamlin Lions working to construct recreation building

Hamlin Lions Club members expect to break ground this August on a 2,400 square foot facility that will offer space for restrooms, concessions, storage and general use, adorned with a 60 foot by 24 foot canopies. The structure will be located in the middle of the recreation grounds behind the Hamlin Town Hall, creating a centralized meeting place.

The Lions are taking care of managing and securing funding for the project, but will turn the facility over to the town upon completion.

This project has been priority No. 1 for Shirley Hollink, town board member and president of the Hamlin Lions. Hollink has a committee seeing the $200,000 to $250,000 project through. She's joined by Pat Batty, Hamlin Recreation; Marv Hankinson, Hamlin Lions; Tom Ingraham, Hamlin superintendent of highways and grounds and Hamlin Lions member; and Greg Speer, Hamlin Lions.

"Our fields badly needed something besides port-a-potties," Hollink said. The committee visited several nearby towns to observe what types of facilities were in existence. The recreation fields will be getting a new driveway at the junction of Route 18 and Hamlin Center Road. The new driveway will lead to a parking lot and the new facility.

The Lions have already presented the project to the Hamlin Planning Board and secured a steel building. To fund the remainder, the Lions are looking at several different options:

•The Hamlin Lions are working on a campaign to raise $50,000.

•They will approach the town for money.

•They have applied for a community development grant through local contact Legislator Wayne Zyra.

•They are applying for funds from Lions International.

•They are asking for money from the local New York State and Bermuda District of Lions International.

•They are working with Senator George Maziarz and Assemblyman Charles Nesbitt to secure additional funds.

The Hamlin VFW has already demonstrated their support for the project. Dick Waye and Howie Ophardt already presented a $5,000 check on behalf of the VFW. Next the Lions will turn to the community for an appeal. They will be advertising in the Hamlin Clarkson Herald to talk about ways residents can help out, including the opportunity to be placed on a wall of contributors plaque within the facility.

Hollink said she was excited to see the Lions spearhead this project, because it will benefit many residents. "We (Hamlin Lions) love to do community projects because this is really who we are," said Hollink.