CBS Lions pitch in to furnish new seating area at Sgt. Ned’s

By Mark Squibb / July 21, 2023

When you take a seat at the picnic area at Sgt. Ned Nugent’s Park, thank a Lion.

The Conception Bay South Lions Club have installed a number of picnic tables, benches and flower holders at the Sgt. Ned Nugent recreation area, alongside the softball field.

“This place is so busy all the time, but there’s nothing here to sit on,” said CBS Lions Club President Wade Dicks.

And so, the Lions approached the Town about setting up some benches and picnic tables. Once they got the okay go from the Town Hall, the Lions Club approved $2,000 for the project, which ultimately came in underbudget.

“We do everything we can to help out the community,” said Dicks.

Every year the Lion’s Club completes a ‘President’s Project,’ a community project selected by the current president. Dicks said while some presidents in the past have opted instead to make a donation to a community group or fundraising effort, he wanted the Lions to complete a project that might benefit the whole community.

Mayor Darrin Bent said the seating area is a welcome addition to the park.

“This is an incredible project by an incredible group of people,” said Bent. “The Lions Club are one of the backbone organizations of this community and have been for the past 50 years. When the president, Wade, got in touch with me and told me what they wanted to do, I came down here and had a look, and thought, ‘What a fantastic spot to put something like this.’ It’s a natural area, it’s beside one of our premier recreation facilities inside the town, and it’s right next to a running brook. It’s just a beautiful spot to be. I think there’ll be some flyballs caught out here. And when you have an organization such as the Lions Club that is as community minded as they are, looking for things to do within our town, how does it get any better than that?”

The park, which sits just off Red Bridge Road in Kelligrews, is home to a rugby field, softball diamond, soccer field, skate park, playground, and dog park, and is a short (though uphill) walk from the community garden and CBS Arena on Legion Road.