Main Gate monument soon to be history

The cover of the May 1986 Community News featured the new Main Gate sign.

The Canyon Lake Property Owners Association kicked off the Main Gate Project with a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, February 2. Those present for the included the Board of Directors (minus Douglas Gordon), Association General Manager Christopher Mitchell, Dalke and Sons Construction Owner Cal Dalke, Dalke and Sons Construction Project Manager Bob Jacobson and Dalke and Sons Construction Manager Brian Saenz.

During the ceremony, the Association and Board of Directors also honored the contributions of the Canyon Lake Lions Club. One of the club’s more notable donations was the Main Gate Sign, donated in May 1986.

At the Regular Session Board Meeting Tuesday night, the Board of Directors presented an appreciation plaque and certificates to the members of the Lions Club for their contributions. Those members honored were Phil Coughlin, Bob Hurst (Club President), Joanna Spiller and LaRue McNamara.

The front page article of the 1986 Community News described how the monument came about and reads as follows:

“The new sign welcoming property owners and visitors to Canyon Lake is yet another example of the community spirit here. Conceived and spearheaded by the Lions Club, the sign is also the result of the time, labor, materials and financial donations of many businesses, clubs and individuals. Posing by the masterpiece are, back row, from left, Bill Stewart, General Manager; Randy Lord, representing the Canyon Lake Builders Association; Don Wicen, incoming Lions president; and from row, from left, Ed Walker, who has directed the project in recent months; Val Field, past president of the Lions; and Hank Albert, who first had the dream of the monument sign. Property owners who would like to make a contribution to the sign fund, which is still short of meeting all of the remaining costs, may send a donation to the Lions Club, Box 4426, Canyon Lake, 92380. March checks ‘For Sign.’”

About The Lions Club

Since 1975, the Canyon Lake Lions Club has been serving the community in many ways – from helping families in need to contributing to many organizations, including the Lions Eye Institute, the Special Olympics, the City of Hope and World Services for the Blind. In addition, the Lions Club hosts various local events and functions including the annual Pancake Breakfast.