City announces $550K in donations to multiplex

Gifts for naming rights include $300K from private foundation, $250K from diplomat

Irene Christie, left, of the Campton Christie Foundation and Miramichi Mayor Adam Lordon announce the foundation’s $300,000 gift to the multiplex project at Tuesday’s council meeting. (GAIL HARDING PHOTO/CITY OF MIRAMICHI)

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MIRAMICHI - The city has received another $550,000 in donations to the multiplex project, including a gift from a longtime diplomat and a contribution from a retired pharmacist’s family foundation.

During Tuesday's city council meeting, a $300,000 gift from the Campton Christie Foundation and a $250,000 contribution pledged by Deborah Lyons for the new Arbec Wellness Centre were announced.

In recognition of the gifts, the leisure pool will be named in honour of Genevieve Kerr, the competitive pool will be named in honour of J. Fraser Kerr, and the gymnasium will be named after Lyons’ parents, Rita and Joseph Lyons.

Kerrs’ daughter, Irene Christie, said she and her private foundation are “thrilled” to support the construction of a modern community centre with pools named after her parents.

“My mother and father were eager to use their capabilities for the betterment of other people’s lives right here on the Miramichi,” she said.