The former Lakefield Scout Building is officially being renamed after lengthy renovations and updates to the site.
After Scouts Canada informed Selwyn Township they would be terminating their lease in 2019 for the building located at Isabel Morris Park, the township- undertook the process of redeveloping the building for the community.
According to a report presented to council on Tuesday night, the renovations to the former Scout building were completed in 2022. The building now includes barrier-free public washrooms and a small rental space for events or meetings and storage area. It will also be the new home of the Peterborough Police Service, who will be moving out of their space on Queen Street over the next couple months.
Staff recommended at the meeting that the building be renamed as The River Den.
Over the month of June, residents were encouraged to submit their suggestions for the new name of the former Scout Ship Building through the Township website.
According to the report, a total of 92 suggestions were submitted over the 1-month period. Below are the top three name suggestions submitted through the process:
1. The River Den (23 votes)
2. McManus Mill Hall (16 votes)
3. Lakefield Resource Centre (7 votes)
Staff recommended that the building be renamed The River Den given that the name is neutral and that there was great support for the name. It was discussed that once the new name for the facility has been confirmed staff will proceed to obtain the appropriate signage and organize an official opening/ribbon cutting event for the space in the coming weeks.
During the process of renovating and renaming the building, the report said that several community members provided some history about the Scout Building and past Scouting volunteers. Information was also provided about the past uses of the property where the building is located.
Along with the new name for the building, staff also recommended to council that some historic panels be created and installed in the building to outline some of the interesting history about past uses at the property, the Sea Scout building history etc. to honour the community’s heritage.
During the meeting Mayor Andy Mitchell said that should there be an opening ceremony for this new building, a plaque should be made in honour of the scouts, acknowledging their history with the building.
Coun. Anita Locke moved the recommendation as presented in the report to rename the former scout building as The River Den. With Coun. Donna Ballantyne seconding the motion, and all in favour it was carried.
