Photo: Debbie Kirwin looks over and thanks Rotarian Peter Redwood for bringing forward the suggestion that the band shell at River Mill Park be named after her husband, the late Ross Kirwin.
Community members gathered at River Mill Park on October 20 to officially name the band shell at River Mill Park in memory of the late Rotarians, Ross Kirwin, who was instrumental in its creation.
The naming of the joint project between the Town of Huntsville and the Rotary Club of Huntsville was celebrated with Kirwin’s family in attendance.
Huntsville Rotary Club President Len Ross spoke of the many projects Rotary has been involved in—both locally and internationally. He described Kirwin as a community leader who had a unique finesse for rallying the troops for the betterment of the community.
Peter Redwood, who worked alongside Kirwin on a multitude of community projects, described him as a passionate visionary who made things happen. “This building was Ross’s dream. It was his foresight, it was his ability to get help. You couldn’t say no to Ross,” he said from the band shell podium.
Parry Sound-Muskoka MP Scott Aitchison also took to the podium. Aitchison was Mayor of Huntsville before he left that position to run for Member of Parliament for the area. He spoke of first meeting Kirwin during a fundraiser for the construction of Chrysalis House at an old resort near Burk’s Falls. Kirwin told Aitchison that he and his wife Debbie would be attending and to make sure it was accessible. Aitchison recalled being mortified to learn that a person in a wheelchair had to access the building through a loading dock off the kitchen. He said he was about to cancel the event but Debbie, who is in a wheelchair, made it work. “It was a moment of learning for me, to understand what it’s like for people who have mobility issues and why we need to think about everybody. Why we need to be an inclusive society.” He said that is when he learned Ross’ name and the name of his wife Debbie, a ‘barracuda on wheels’ when it comes to championing accessibility in the community.
Aitchison said they became great friends. “Ross was a big supporter of me. He was a big supporter of my campaigns and he wasn’t the guy that just put out signs and went and knocked on doors and that kind of stuff, he stayed involved and engaged and he was one of those people I knew I could always rely on to go talk to if I was struggling with something. Former mayors are good to talk to as well because they know what it’s like, but Ross made me a better mayor,” said Aitchison, who described Kirwin as a man with natural leadership abilities while also being supportive and encouraging.
MPP Graydon Smith also took to the podium and while he did not have a personal relationship with Kirwin, he said his reputation was known far and wide. He spoke of the importance of Rotary, and volunteer groups in the community in general. He said the powerful words of “how can I help” really change communities.
Former Huntsville Mayor Claude Doughty, who served for two terms, also spoke at the meeting. “Ross won the frequent flyer award from my office,” he said to laughter. Doughty spoke about Ross championing an accessible boat slip at the Town docks and an accessible washroom at Pitman’s Bay. In essence, Doughty said the Kirwins have footprints all across the community. He also said Ross “would convince you without even knowing the convincing was going on. He was great at it… this community is a great community in no small part thanks to their contributions.”
Master of ceremonies and Rotarian Rob Saunders said he’s spent nights thinking about all the decisions he thought he had made on his own, to laughter from those present.
Huntsville Mayor Nancy Alcock thanked Rotary for bringing the band shell proposal forward to the last council. She spoke of the enthusiasm and appropiateness of having Kirwin’s name on the band shell. “I can’t imagine a more fitting tribute.”
Kirwin and the Rotary Club of Huntsville built the skateboard park, sets for community plays, accessibility ramps throughout the community, a sensory room at OneKids Place, benches for trails. Ross worked diligently with his colleagues on Rotary Dockfest and many other projects. “There is absolutely no question that Ross has left an indelible mark on our entire community for which we all will be forever grateful,” said Alcock.
Debbie Kirwin also spoke. She thanked Greenwood for proposing to name the band shell in Kirwin’s honour.
“Ross would be really humbled and if you really knew Ross he didn’t have a humble bone in his body,” she said to laughter from those present. She also introduced her family who were in attendance for the official naming.
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