Federal Government invests in Camp Medley
by Ana Watts
Camp Medley will have a new staff house in time for the 2010 camping season, thanks to a $236,000 investment from the Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. The Hon. Keith Ashfield, Minister of state for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) http://www.acoa-apeca.gc.ca/Pages/Welcome-Bienvenue.aspx, and Member of Parliament for Fredericton made the announcement at the Diocese of Fredericton Synod Office on Thursday, Oct. 8.
“This investment will benefit the surrounding communities of Camp Medley by providing accessible space for meetings and functions during the off-season, as well as improving the quality of facilities for campers,” said Mr. Ashfield.
Archbishop Claude Miller was unable to attend the announcement, but in earlier conversations with ACOA he said, “When government and the community work together, wonderful things happen. Camp Medley has participated in the development and formation of generations of young New Brunswickers. In partnership with the federal government we will complete the refurbishment of the camp and continue to nurture and support young people and the whole community for many generations to come.”
Peter Graham of St. Paul’s, Rothesay, thanked Mr. Ashfield and ACOA on behalf of Archbishop Miller. “The federal funds from ACOA are a tipping point for Camp Medley and will allow this project to continue uninterrupted.”
Each year Camp Medley provides a well-rounded camp experience for young people from throughout New Brunswick and
beyond. Just over half of the campers who register each year are Anglican. The rest come from other denominations. Young people from inner city neighbourhoods who might otherwise never enjoy a camp experience are sponsored by the camp and many Anglican parishes.
The diocese is in the third phase of a capital campaign on behalf of both of its youth camps, Medley and Brookwood. Camp Brookwood has completed several of its necessary upgrades, but Camp Medley embarked on a complete renewal of its infrastructure. New camper cabins and a large multi-purpose building with an industrial kitchen replaced the former “rustic” dining hall.
A dilapidated and inadequate staff house and nurses quarters remain to be replaced. The new staff house will be built on the foundation of the old one. Architect Greg Murdock of Murdock & Boyd is contributing his expertise to the design of the new building.
More than a thousand New Brunswick Anglicans, churches, church groups, corporations and foundations contributed $1.1 million to the first two phases of the capital campaign and gave the diocese a strong foundation for phase three, said Mr. Graham, who praised the efforts of former campaign coordinator Peter Irish of Saint John. “At this point we are not unlike the marathon runner who hits the wall at 18 miles.” The infusion of federal money has reenergized the diocesan effort to raise the necessary remaining funds, he continued.
“Archbishop Miller has a vision for Camp Medley, a vision that I share,” said Mr. Graham. “We believe that kids with a good camp experience stand a better chance in life.”
Diocesan Communications
13 October 2009
