By Mark Squibb | Nov. 26
The Goulds Lions Arena bears the Lions name, so it’s only appropriate that its warm room also bear a Lion’s name.
During a short ceremony on November 19 attended by family and fellow Lions, the Lion Ron Whitten Room was unveiled.
“A few months ago, one of our Lions came to me with a suggestion. He said, ‘We always honour Lions with a plaque or something, after they pass away. Why not do something for our Lions while they’re still alive?’” Goulds Lions Club President Charlie Phillips said to those gathered.
So, when Phillips announced that they would be naming the warm room after Lion Ron Whitten, Whitten jokingly asked if that meant he was going to die soon.
“Without Ron, I’m not sure if, or when, there would have been a Lion’s Club,” said Phillips. “It was the vision of Lion Ron when he returned from Labrador back in 1975. He had a notion of starting up the Lions Club, which, he did, in March of 1976. He is a well-respected member of our community, and also a well-respected member of our Lions Club. Ron is a strong supporter of the Lions Club and of it’s activities. I’m sure most of you, if we went around the room, could add another 10, 20, 40, maybe a hundred reasons why we should name this room after Lion Ron.”
Whitten was grateful for the gesture.
“I appreciate this, it’s very nice,” he said. “It’s important to help out the community where you’re from.”
During the ceremony, the Goulds Lions Club also presented a $6000 cheque to the Arena Association.
