The Fort Frances Senior Centre Board of Management is staying firm with a 2017 decision to rename the Sister Kennedy Centre.
Town Councillor John McTaggart wanted the board to keep the new name but rename the building after Sister Kennedy who was instrumental in its development.
“This was a big deal that she went out to get this building done, and I do not want to underplay her contribution one bit. It’s part of our history, and I think that we need to respect that,” says McTaggart.
Board member John Reader stands by the original decision.
“One of the reasons that the name was taken off the Sister Kennedy Center was that some people would not come in because they were not Catholics, and they thought it was strictly for Catholics. So the idea was to change the name to promote more people in,” says Reader.
Fort Frances council accepted the name change in 2017 but didn’t complete the formal by-law to make it official.
Board member Cynthia Donald says that’s the decision that should stand.
“This decision was made a while ago, and we’re revisiting it? I think it’s time to move on and give Sister Kennedy the credit and accolades inside but not outside,” says Donald.
The issue will now go back to council to deal with the necessary by-law.
