Recreation
The Bradford Lions have a long history with the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury in many recreationally partnerships. The Lions managed the old arena on John Street West and Moore Street when the Town was going to close the facility in the early 1940’s. The Lions kept the arena open to provide hockey, skating and curling for the Town citizens.
The Bradford Lions were the main funding group for the Bradford & District Community Centre on Simcoe Street. The now famous Lions Cadillac Car Draw was started in 1954 to fund this then new arena and community centre. The Lions built the Lions Pool, Lions Park and tennis courts at both the Lions Park and the Community Centre during the 1970’s. The Bradford Lions partnered with the Town and paid half of the cost of the Bradford & District Community Centre Expansion that included the offices and elevator at a total cost of $250,000.00.
The Club contributed to the Bob Fallis Arena and developed Joe Magani Park all in the 1990’s. The development of Joe Magani Park is an ongoing process.
Swimming in Bradford West Gwillimbury for the past 35 years has been at the Lions Pool. The Bradford Lions are extremely pleased and proud to have donated $250,000.00 for the naming rights to the Bradford Lions Aquatic Centre (a year round full time facility) as part of the new Leisure Centre.
The Bradford Lions are happy to continue our long history of working together with the Town for improvement of recreational opportunities for our citizens. The Bradford Lions Club’s lifetime contributions to the Town are estimated to be valued at $3 million.
Medical
Bradford Lions have paid doctor bills, operations, eye glasses and dentist bills for needy people before the advent of OHIP and other government programs.
Bradford Lions bought and funded the first ambulance for the Town in the 1950-60 (a Pontiac Vintage 1950’s).
The Club contributed to the first Whipper Bill Watson Therapeutic Pool at York County Hospital (now Southlake Regional Healthcare Centre).
The Bradford Lions have donated several hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Southlake Foundation for lots of upgrades, new equipment and facilities such as new therapeutic pool, MRI, operating equipment and the new cancer centre.
Camps
The Bradford Lions have generously funded Lions Camps – Dorset, Huronda, Lake Joe, Bob Rumball Easter Seals, Guide Dogs (LFC).
The Club made large contributions to Campaign Sight First I and II (over $45,000) and LCIF.
The Bradford Lions were an Easter Seal Club and funded several local children and continue to support residents with special health needs that are not fully funded by governments.
Education
Bradford Lions have contributed to the construction of libraries, funded the local history groups and helped to finance the history book “Governor Simcoe Slept Here” editor, the late Lion George Jackson.
The Club has given and continues to give numerous school awards and cash prizes to deserving students.
The Bradford Lions support minor sport teams, scouts, Santa Claus Parade, Big Brother/Big Sisters, seniors, community dinners, food bank.
Bradford Lions have always been big supporters of Lions Effective Speaking.
Fund Raising
The Bradford Lions started their Cadillac Car Draw in 1954 to raise money for the new Bradford & District Community Centre.
The Bradford Lions Joe Magani Golf Tournament was started to fund Joe Magani Park and continues as our second biggest source of funds.
The Club held weekly Bingos, Monster Bingos and Nevada Tickets as fund raisers in the recent past (20 years).
Bradford Lions developed the Snowarama concept and held several events to fund Easter Seals back when we could count on a real winter.
