Jordan Lions Since 1948

A History by Lion Colin Troup

Ten members of the Beamsville Lions Club, mostly residents of the Jordan area, met at the Vintage House (which was a part of the Jordan Museum) during the winter of 1948 and decided to form a new Lions Club.  The Beamsville Lions concurred with their wishes and sponsored the Jordan Lions Club – Chartered on March 31^st 1948.

These founding members were – Len Dale, Elston Honsberger, Gord Honsberger, Herb Morrison, Stan Price, Wilf Richardson, Vic Scull, Clarence Stoner, Don Weatherson, and the Reverend Norman Kelly.  Of the original group only Lion Herb Morrison is still active with the Club.

The Charter Night was held at the Queensway Hotel in St. Catharines on June 2^nd 1948, with guest speaker Lion Walter Fisher, then Second Vice President of Lions International – later to become president.

Originally the Club met in a basement room of the Jordan Public School with various women’s organizations preparing the meals.  Later the Club moved to Prudhomme’s Hotel where they met until the  complex was destroyed by fire in 1967.  In the fire the Lions lost their charter document which was later replaced by Lions International.  The meeting place was then transferred to the Beacon Motor Hotel.

The Jordan Men’s Club, which was disbanded about the time the Lions Club was formed, turned over their remaining funds to the new club, and with this financial help the Jordan Lions Club began their many years of public service to the community. 

The first project was the building of an outdoor rink where the big cider press stood, behind the Vintage House.  The first Lions Park on the Middle Road, and continued for many years.

The Jordan Athletic Association, formed to promote softball in the Jordan area, had acquired land from the Clarence Honsberger farm and had constructed a floodlit ball diamond.  When this Association ran into financial difficulties they turned their facility over the Lions Club.  From that time on the majority of the activities of the Lions Club centred around this park.

The sponsorship of a softball program was undertaken, but had to be curtailed in a few years because of lack of funds.  A sports day was arranged for the public school children of the area, generally held around May 24^th.  Originally called Frolic Day it carried on for many years before finally being phased out.  A swimming program was carried out at Prudhomme’s pool until fire destroyed the complex – students having been bussed to and from Prudhomme’s from all the area schools.

Funds for the early projects were raised from the Lions Summer Carnival and the periodic sale of light bulbs and brooms.  Over the years other programs were added – The Lions Santa Claus Parade (still going strong) the Lions Public Speaking Contest and the Lions Beauty Queen Contest (later the Snow Queen) to name a few.

With the termination of the swimming program at Prudhomme’s, the idea of constructing our own pool was brought forward and with the purchase of 4.6 acres of land, (adjacent to the Park) the project was begun.  This undertaking really brought the Jordan Lions Club together – virtually every member became involved, and the official opening was held on July 18^th, 1968, with well known local MPP Robert Welch cutting the ribbon while standing in a aluminum boat in the middle of the pool.

In the meantime an ambitious Centennial project had been undertaken – an old fashioned Winter Carnival.  Little did the Lions know what a slumbering giant they had awakened in Hoy Boy, etc.  This became the premier fund raising event for the Club, and was transferred from the original site at Balls Falls Conservation Park to the Lions Sports Park in 1983.

The continuing emphasis was on sports activities and in 1970 the Jordan Lions Softball Association was formed and is still a very successful undertaking.

With the improved success of the Winter Carnival the idea of building an arena was discussed and after much work and co-operation with the Town of Lincoln and many interested citizens, the Jordan Arena and Community Centre was officially opened on October 18^th 1974.  This spawned the Jordan Lions Hockey Association recreation for many young people in the community.  The Jordan Figure Skating Club also make good use of the facility and the Community Centre is used for various activities.

With the addition of 7.2 acres adjacent to the Park in 1977, the Sports Park was able to include a modern floodlit ball diamond, another diamond, tennis courts and a new refreshment booth. A pavilion was added in 1982.  The refreshment booth has contributed a large amount of money to fund our projects.

In recent years the pool has been refurbished, the soccer field completed and new washrooms constructed.

We now have over 300 involved in our summer swim program and about 450 in the ball program.

These are the various projects and activities that are obvious to the community, but in addition the Jordan Lions have been active behind the scenes – originally providing glasses to needy children, Christmas baskets to needy families and helping financially with the various programs for the sight and hearing impaired – including support for the Lions Lake Joseph Camp for the blind.  This giving has been expanded in recent years to include donations to various charitable organizations and need citizens groups and individuals.

Today the Jordan Lions Club is alive and well – continuing the tradition of Lions Club activity in our community. We are proud to uphold the motto of Lions International         -We Serve-