The Basilica Recreation Centre — Before and After

After two years, Jim McTague left the centre to work for the P.E.l. Housing Authority, and in 1978, John Ready felt that it was time for someone else to take over and perhaps lead the centre in a new direction. My understanding was that Jim was not replaced to look after the finance and business aspect of the centre. John Ready’s strength was in sports, recreation and programming, and for this reason I was surprised to learn that Jim’s position was not filled. When interviewing Gerry Doyle, who was the second chair of the board, he told me that the centre lost a lot of money during the first few years. Inexperience in banquet management, food cost estimation, and staffing were mentioned as part of the problem. There was also some indication that the rental revenue for the Knights of Columbus portion of the building was not nearly enough for the increased debt incurred on the centre.

John, more often called Jack, got the nickname Spy from my brother Joe, which is another story in itself! He also had the title of Brigadier General from his long association with the military. He was already on city council when he left the Rec Centre, and later served as mayor from 1987-1992. He was general manager of the Charlottetown Area Industrial Commission, member of the National Advisory Council on Fitness and Amateur Sports, played professional hockey with the Charlottetown Islanders of the Big Four Hockey League, was inducted into the PEI Sports Hall of Fame, and was commander of the P.E.|. Militia District and the Atlantic Militia Area. He died in 2000.

When Jack came on as executive director, Fr. McMahon had taken over the new parish in Southport (Stratford). Fr. Simpson took over from 1963-1972, and the chair of the board was Eugene Cullen. Fr. Clare Macdonald came in 1972-1977, and the chair was Gerry Doyle. Fr. Art Pendergast took over from 1977-1984, with chair Joe Basha.

Other board Chairpersons included Frank Butler, Bonnie Hood, June Harper, Steve Driscoll, Frank McNab, Walter MacDonald, Harold Lee, Mike Blanchard, Roger Doiron, George Gaudet and Tom Cullen.

It was during Joe Basha’s term that the centre advertised for a new executive

director. The person appointed was Don Connors, in 1979. Don received his degree in Business Administration from UPEI in 1973, and worked with Eaton’s

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