The East Lambton Community Complex Capital Fundraising Committee formed in January 2022. Its members have a passion for the Watford/Warwick Communities and were eager to join a fundraising team to build the new community hub that will serve Warwick Township residents for years to come.
Each member has lived most or all their lives in Warwick and are actively involved in organizations, service clubs, sports organizations, local government or are business owners. Collectively, they bring a wealth of knowledge to the committee.
Co-Chairs George and Rhonda Noll will lead this great team to reach its $2 Million goal ahead of the completion of the project later this fall. To kick start this campaign, the committee pledged on its own over $240,000 toward the new East Lambton Community Complex!
Learn more about the committee members by reading their biographies and why they personally joined this fundraising team and a BIG thank you to each of them for volunteering their time towards this project.
George and Rhonda Noll have been residents of Warwick Township for over 24 years, with Rhonda growing up in the community. They raised their children in this community with their son playing for East Lambton Minor Hockey and their daughter member of the Watford Youth Activity Club. George and Rhonda are both members of Watford Rotary Club with George as current president and Rhonda as a past-president. They both enjoy working with Rotary as it gives many opportunities to serve the community.
“George and I are excited about this adventure. We have an amazing committee each with their own strengths that they bring to our committee, and we are very happy and excited to lead such a diverse and great group.
We believe with the new facility there will be more wedding and family celebrations return to town, something that has been missing for a quite a while now. In addition, organizations will be able to resume fundraising initiatives locally with the use of the hall and outdoor facilities. From a health and fitness perspective, having the YMCA in our own community will encourage people to get fit, go to the gym, and will allow the opportunity for off season training for group sports and other sport activities for all ages. It will be convenient to have all these amenities right here in our own backyards.
Our vision for this committee is to work hard with the community to complete our $2M fundraising goal for this great facility. Our vision for Warwick Township residents is to utilize this facility to bring families, friends and organizations together in many ways and to help and encourage each other to live our healthiest and happiest lives.”
Mike Acton was raised in Watford and is the former owner of Acton’s Service Centre which served the Watford community for nearly 40 years. Mike and his wife Anita raised their daughters in Watford and were no strangers to the Watford Arena, attending many figure skating practices and carnivals. Growing up, Mike was involved in Scouts, which met at the Watford Centennial Hall. Mike has many memories of those days and remembers attending countless events at the Centennial Hall over the years.
“It’s great to see this project underway, the new community centre is long overdue. The complex will offer so much for the current and future generations in our area and will be the home of many memories in the years to come. Dad and I received great support from this community throughout our years in business and joining this committee and supporting this project this is the perfect opportunity for me to give back."
Rick Bebingh was born and raised in Watford and has worked for Bebingh Insurance for 33 years. He took over the company from his father in 1999, will celebrate 40 years in business this year. Rick nd his partner Lee are actively involved in the community as members of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 172. Rick is a past president and current member of the Watford Optimist Club and is a member of the Warwick Snowmobile Club.
“I think it will be a benefit for the community to have this new building, especially with the re-development of our downtown and a new subdivision soon to be developed. It will be great to have a hub for everyone to utilize like the YMCA, meeting rooms and gymnasium. The new outdoor kitchen will be awesome for events too! I think people will be excited that they will actually be able to have their kids’ weddings at the hall in town or host other community events.
I have donated to many things in the community over the years and am looking forward to working with this committee to see this project through!”
Brad Goodhill is a life-long resident of Warwick Township. He is a third generation farmer, serves as the Fire Chief of Warwick Township's Fire Department, (Warwick Station) with 37 years of service. Brad served three-terms on Warwick Township Council (2000 to 2010), is a board member and president of Watford Medical Centre 2000- 2021, and was the Project Liaison during the construction of the Warwick Community Hall in Warwick Village in 2013.
“I enjoy being a part of the betterment of our community. I was part of the fundraising committee for the Warwick Community Centre in Warwick Village in 2013 and feel I can assist with this new complex. This new Community Centre will move our community to a large city stature with a small town personality and atmosphere.
It is proven, to grow and maintain a vibrant community, good recreation facilities and recreation programs are paramount. Warwick Township has a very balanced age demographic. We must have sports and recreation programs for all ages to attract families to our community, which in the end will be beneficial to our work force, business and overall health of our community.”
Mark Hamel is a retired egg producer. He and his wife Joanie have been residents of Warwick Township for over 25 years and raised two sons, Jackson and Nick, who both were members of the 1st Watford Scouts at the Watford Centennial Hall.
Mark is actively involved in the community, serving as a member of the Watford Optimist Club, President of Ambassador Place, and sitting on committees for Brooke Telecom, Cornfest, Alvinston/Watford Road Race and Warwick Township’s Community Improvement Projects.
“The Watford Centennial Hall has served this community very well, but it has hit the end of its life and it’s time to move forward and give the same great access to a community centre that we all had. It’s a privilege to have so many community leaders involved in such a worthy cause. It’s a huge investment in the community and I’m happy to do anything I can do to help raise funds and take the burden off the rate payers.”
My name is Steve Minten. My wife Brooke and I are residents of Warwick Township and are raising our children here. I have been involved in coaching both hockey for ELMHA and baseball in Alvinston for several years and have been a member of the Watford Optimist for many years. I currently am a member of the boards of directors for both ELMHA and the Alvinston Riverhawks.
I wanted to join the committee for a couple of reasons; first, I think this project is long overdue and will provide great services for local residents. Second, to give back to the community and try to help raise the remaining funds to get this project finished!
I think the new complex looks great! I have seen the completed rendered drawings and there is so much that this facility will have to offer for people of all ages. I think the new complex will offer both recreational and social opportunities for the community, and once completed, will be an impressive central place for people to connect.
My name is Brad Rombouts and I have been a member of the Watford community my entire life. I live and operate my business in Warwick Township with my wife Louise and our three children. I have always been a proud resident, strongly involved in the community. Right now I am a member of the Watford Optimist Club and a board member of and coach for East Lambton Minor Hockey Association.
I'm very excited to be part of the fundraising committee for the ELCC expansion. My children are currently the fourth generation in my family to enjoy and use the facilities Watford provides. I look forward to many more generations having the same, if not better opportunities that this great township has to offer.
Jackie and her husband Adrian are residents of Warwick Township and is where they have raised their four children. Jackie served on Warwick Township Council for one term before being elected as Mayor in 2018. Jackie is a member of the Cornfest Committee and the Catholic Women’s League, is an active volunteer for the Road Race and participates in numerous events throughout the year.
“I believe this new community complex will be a huge asset for our community both for the residents who are currently living here to enjoy but also to help attract economic and residential development in the future. I am so excited that this new build will give us the ability to offer new programs to our public and will serve to enhance the amazing events that we already enjoy on a yearly basis.
I look forward to having a centre that will be big enough for almost all events, that is modern and stylish and accessible to all. This committee gives everyone the opportunity to donate and be part of this amazing addition, and I can’t wait until construction is complete, restrictions are lifted and we can all celebrate together!”
Todd White has worked as an entrepreneur for the last 19 years, operating an assisted living retirement home and small cash crop farm with his wife Sandra.
Todd is a past board member of Libro Credit Union in London where he served for 13 years, and is an elected councillor for the Township of Warwick in Lambton County where he has served for the last 12 years.
In his free time, Todd enjoys restoring cars with his dad and son, travelling with his wife and their four children, and spending time at the cottage on Lake Huron near Grand Bend.
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