1985

Checking Boats - Fred Demers, venue manager for both rowing and canoeing at the upcoming Canada Summer Games, looks over the fine line of boats at the Rothesay Rowing Club.

Fred Demers will be changing hats in mid stream at the Canada Summer Games Aug. 11 to 24.

Demers is one of those rare individuals who is responsible for two sports in the realm of venue managers. So for the first week, Demers will be at the canoeing venue and the second week, he'll be looking after the rowing. Fortunately both are in the same spot, the Kennebecasis Rowing and Canoe club, of which he is vice president.

"The two sports use the same courses," he said. "What we did when we found otu rowing was included in the Canada Games, we had all administrative directors responsible for the two sports. With all the people doing administrative functions for two sports, then venues have 16 people which is very manageable."

Most of Demers outside interests are in rowing, so he, along with other members of the Kennebecasis Rowing and Canoeing Club, did a lot of lobbying to get the sport included in the Games.

"We had a lot to gain by having rowing in the Games," he said. "It worked out very well for us."

Demers said the Kennebecasis club "was always the Kennebecasis Rowing and Canoeing Club, but we dropped the canoeing because there was no interest. But when the call went out for workers (for canoeing), people came out of the woodwork."

With the inclusion of both sports in the Games, Demers said the club "has a fine new facility that's three times as big and 1,000 times better. The course is in place... the whole thing has been very worthwhile."

Unlike several managers who were approached by venue coordinator Pat Palmer, Demers and some other local rowing enthusiasts "made up our own organization, so we were three or four leagues ahead of everyone else.

"People have volunteered gladly so the job hasn't been difficult. In fact, it's been fun." Demers said many of the volunteers have come from the Renforth area, which has a rich rowing tradition that can date back to 1871 when the Great Race, featuring the Hall of Fame 'Paris Crew', took place there as well as the annual Renforth Regatta.

"I've lived here for 13 years and I found the people of the Kennebecasis Valley area and especially Renforth to be very quick to volunteer," he said.

Among the volunteer staff are the directors who work closely with Demers. The operations directors, those who work for both sports, are Don MacFarlane, finance; Roger Aske, services; John McCormick, facilities; Jow McDada, human resources; Pat Grannan, Athletes Village; Dave Gibson, protocol; Judy Gibson, public relations and Wallace Scully, rowing. Barb Dobbin is the recording secretary.

The sports directors are different for rowing and canoeing. For rowing the cast includes Dr. Harry Flood, competition - Flood is also assistant venue manager - Dr. H.C. Bonnycastle, officials; Jim Flood, equipment and Don Cunningham, results.

For canoeing, Paul Akerman is the competition director and the other assistant venue manager; Bob Gibb has the officials director post, Don Taylor the results and Greg Lisson, equipment.

"We're ready to go," said Demers.

Demers admits that both sports "are like watching curling a bit, people who go to canoeing and rowing have a specific interest. It's more of a participation sport." He expects few spectators for the preliminaries, but is anticipating a fair share for the finals. The seating capacity will be about 300.