City Names Community Centre for Paul Reynolds

At a ceremonial sod turning on Friday, June 20, officials from the City of St. John’s and guests announced that the community centre at Wedgewood Park will be named for Paul Reynolds.
 
Reynolds was the Mayor of the Town of Wedgewood Park prior to amalgamation with the City of St. John’s in 1992. He served on St. John’s Council and was a lifelong advocate for his local community, recreation and active living.
 
“We cannot think of a better individual to name our newest facility for,” said Mayor Dennis O’Keefe. “I believe Paul would have been very proud to see this modern, energy efficient and flexible centre in neighbourhood he loved. We are pleased that his family are here to help us turn the sod and start construction.”
 
Site preparation has already begun on this $32 million facility, expected to open in the fall of 2016.
 
“This purpose-built recreation complex will greatly enhance the City’s ability to provide quality recreation programming to our residents,” said Ward 1 Councillor Danny Breen. “From a 25-meter lane pool with water slides to multi-purpose rooms and green spaces, the Paul Reynolds Community Centre at Wedgewood Park will be an innovative and exciting addition to our service facilities.”
 
“The new community centre for Wedgewood Park will have a significant impact on the health and well-being of the residents of St. John’s and the surrounding region,” said the Honourable Steve Kent, Minister of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs. “As a government we place a high priority on recreational infrastructure, and as such we are pleased to be contributing approximately $2.5 million to this worthwhile project.”
 
 
Media Contact:
Susan Bonnell
Manager, Marketing and Communications
City of St. John's
Phone: 709-576-3906
Cell: 709-690-9285
E-mail: sbonnell@stjohns.ca

 
BACKGROUNDER
 
Paul Reynolds Community Centre at Wedgewood Park

• Contractor: EllisDon
• Budget: $32 million
• Location: 47 Gleneyre Street
• Expected Opening: Fall, 2016
• Facility Highlights:
• 74,000 square feet of overall space
• A 25-meter lane pool
• A leisure pool, including two waterslides
• A full-sized 6,700 square foot gymnasium
• 1,500 square foot dedicated children’s area
• 1,500 square foot senior’s area
• Dedicated youth room
• Outdoor playground
• Fitness area
• Several multi-purpose spaces
• Energy efficient technology, including a geothermal heat source combined with a top of the line heat recovery system.
• A backup generator is also being incorporated into the facility, which would allow the Centre to function as an emergency shelter or warming centre in the event of a power failure.

 
Paul Reynolds

• Community advocate; career public servant; municipal leader; family man
• Mr. Reynolds was the Mayor of the Town of Wedgewood Park prior to amalgamation in 1992, subsequently serving as a Councillor for the City of St. John’s.
• Born in Harbour Grace, Mr. Reynolds graduated from St. Francis High in 1961 before studying business at St. Columbia and Memorial University.
• Mr. Reynolds worked in administration for most of his career. In 2007, he was named Chief Electoral Officer for the province.
• A committed volunteer and community advocate, his private sector and volunteer involvement included various roles for Wedgewood Park; serving on the Boards of Directors for YM/YWCA and St. John's Port Corporation; Director, for the Drivers Licence Review Board and the Pippy Park Commission; and President of the Progressive Conservative Party of Newfoundland and Labrador.
• Mr. Reynolds died in May 2011.
• In 2012, his family continued his legacy of community service by memorializing him in an annual golf tournament benefitting the Candlelighter’s Association.