Springfield community builders recognized
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This article was published 31/10/2021 (1615 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Community builders in the RM of Springfield were honoured Friday in an outdoor ceremony in Cooks Creek.
Gerry Koreman, a longtime board member at the Cooks Creek Community Centre, and beautification committees from Oakbank and Dugald, were recognized by Springfield-Ritchot MLA Ron Schuler and Mayor Tiffany Fell.
Koreman received an Honour 150 medal, a commemorative portrait of the Manitoba legislature, and a framed copy of the private member’s statement Schuler made in March recounting Koreman’s contributions to Cooks Creek.
“This is a real honour,” Koreman said, adding with a grin, “Maybe one day when I’m in Kin Place or Dugald Estates, I’ll have these things prominently in my room.”
Koreman served as president of Columbus Community Centre from 1998 to 2007, when it merged with Zora Community Centre to form Cooks Creek Community Centre. Koreman continued his presidency until 2019. He is now treasurer.
“Gerry’s been truly instrumental in fueling the unprecedented growth and development that the Cooks Creek Community Centre has experienced the last several years,” Schuler said.
The centre underwent a $1.5-million expansion, adding a full-sized gymnasium and permanent stage, and expanding its kitchen and washroom facilities. A picnic shelter was unveiled last year and basketball hoops are now being installed.
Koreman, a chartered professional accountant, also volunteers at pancake breakfasts, the local medieval festival, St Michael’s Parish, and the Knights of Columbus.
Honour 150 recipients were announced in February but Schuler said the pandemic delayed the awarding of some medals.
Beautification committees from Oakbank and Dugald were also recognized. Each received two Manitoba flags that will be displayed on the outskirts of each community.
“The work that you do makes your community feel like home to us,” Schuler said.
Mayor Tiffany Fell noted volunteerism is declining in some parts of the province, but not in Springfield.
“You step up all the time,” she said.