Tulameen Community Club

Reminder that there will be a Tulameen Community Club meeting Thursday, March 4, 2010, at the Community Hall, 7pm. In addition to the regular agenda, there will be a presentation of the preliminary report from Kelley Cook and Chris Pemberton who were mandated to "locate an all season motorized trail that would link Princeton and Tulameen, and bypass the China Ridge Trail System and the KVR rail bed between these 2 communities". They have a map outlining the road, but are looking for input from individuals and groups, including Tulameen, at this preliminary stage. If you have any comments for Kelley or Chris, please forward to mardi@telus.net if you aren’t able to attend the meeting this month. Hope to see you there! Mardi

Tulameen Community Club History
The Tulameen Community Club had it’s inception on June 3rd, 1959, but it’s roots were steeped in history of the PTA (Parent Teacher’s Association). Leona Brewer was president of the PTA at the time.

"As I reflect back on the days before the Community Club came into existence, I remember that we had our PTA. Madeline Rabbitt, Aleathea Hughes and Nora Fripp were the main instigators. These were people who wished to contribute toward making the village a more community spirited place. We held bake sales, whist drives, bazaars and teas. We then received permission from the school board to hold dances and our dances were our best money makers."

By early 1959 the demographics of Tulameen were changing and more, older people and retirees were present in Tulameen and it was felt that the PTA would not meet their needs adequately so the Tulameen Community Club was formed, with Grant Squelch as president, Mrs. E Scott as secretary and Irene Manion as treasurer.

"When the Community Club was formed, we, the PTA, turned over our assets with the stipulation that the traditions of a Christmas tree for the children with presents, an Easter Party and Last Day of School Celebration with races and a picnic, be carried on by the club, that being the present day Tulameen Community Club."

The Community Club was incorporated on May 30, 1960 under the Societies Act. Our mission statement being, "For the betterment of the Community through recreation for all ages." Early meetings were held in the schoolhouse or at someone’s home. Dances were held either in the recreation room at the Tulameen Trading Post or Kirby Hall was rented, Kirby Hall being 1/3 of the present day Community Hall.

One of the first acts of the newly formed club was to obtain a permit and establish a beach and park on Otter Lake.

On August 14, 1961 the Club purchased the three buildings that are now our Community Hall.

In the early 1970’s we purchased the two lots beside the hall on which now stand our Library and Museum.

In 1975 the Library building was built to house our books and our museum artifacts.

1986-1987 saw the building of our Ice Rink on the RDOS property behind the fire hall.

The public washrooms on this property were built in 1996 by the Community Club.

The new Millennium saw the reconstruction of the original schoolhouse, on Community Club property, as a museum . The inception of the Block Watch program to keep our neighbourhoods safe.

2002 saw the Tulameen Community Club become a recognized charity.

Present day undertakings are –

The acquisition of the Tulameen Elementary School to enable the expansion of our museum and library and the formation of a Community center for playing cards, exercise clubs, and classes for crafts etc.
The building of tennis courts.

And whatever innovative ideas our members can come up with next.