Rotary club searching for new projects

Rotary Club looking for new project to improve Summerside

SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. – For Richard Wedge, a lively, sustainable community is part of what makes a city desirable to live in.

That's why Wedge and other members of the Summerside Rotary Club are giving residents a chance to say what they would like to see implemented in the city.

“We're looking for something to get people outside and get people to know their neighbours better,” said Wedge, chair of the community needs assessment project. “Kind of make them say ‘gee, I'm glad I live in Summerside.'”

In search of a new project to tackle, Wedge and other members of the Rotary Club are giving Summerside residents a chance to say what they would like to see implemented in the city.

Since its founding in

1943, the Rotary Club had spearheaded and supported a number of community projects, including fundraising for a new x-ray machine at Prince County Hospital, or fundraising for wheelchair access to facilities like the Credit Union Place.

The Rotary Club last asked for community input in 2014, which, said Wedge, led to the Inspire Learning Centre on Central Street.

“We thought we'd go back to the community and see if there's something postCovid, projects that people would really want to see in Summerside,” said Wedge, “and get them outside, get active in the community, get to be more socially-connected to their neighbours.”

Depending on the scale and community impact of the ideas submitted, the Rotary Club is open to undertaking several smaller projects or one larger one.

For Randy Cannon, club president, community service is important for members of the Summerside Rotary Club.

“But it's really all about bringing together likeminded business and professional people, friends, neighbors and so on,” said Cannon in a press release. “As friends and colleagues, we work together, enjoy Rotary together and provide a variety of community services together.”

Specifically, the club is looking for suggestions that focus on sustainability – like an active transportation trail – or improve the quality of the community, such as a communal pizza oven.

“A number of things are starting to come in,” said Wedge. “Which are all pretty interesting.”

Summerside residents can submit their ideas online by going to the Summerside Rotary Club website.