Council Candidate Dave VanDamme Talks Chatham-Kent Sports

CKSN asked all candidates running for Chatham-Kent council and mayor, to give us their backgrounds in sports and recreation, and decribe their goals and views for not only sports and recreation in Chatham-Kent, but making Chatham-Kent a healthier, and more active place to live.

The Chatham-Kent Municipal election day is October 27, 2014.

Here are council candidate Dave VanDamme’s responses. VanDamme is running for council in Ward 3 – East Kent.

1. Background in sports and recreation:

I have not volunteered too much with any sports or recreation groups within the municipality, but I have shared my time by sitting on other boards, however. My most memorable to date has been the Chatham Kent Health Alliance. It was here where I got to work with some very passionate people who worked hard to achieve good hospital governance as well as promote a healthy lifestyle for area residents. I have always had an active lifestyle and challenge myself daily to exercise early in the morning through jogging. I find this is helpful in order to relieve stress and promote healthy living. I hold no negative viewpoints on any sports programs within Chatham Kent as I understand the larger benefit these programs have to offer; especially for children. Just the same, I burst with pride when our local teams compete for greater excellence. As a municipality, I hope we will always have the money to maintain what we have and get the basics done right. Currently, my young children participate in hockey, baseball and soccer programs offered through Chatham Kent. I wish I had more time to participate in adult programs and truly envy my friends that do.

2. What specific ideas or goals do you have for Chatham-Kent, to improve or maintain recreational programs and facilities, and support our athletes and sports organizations? Or to help build opportunities for future growth in these areas?

When I consider the success of the soccer program in Thamesville that is available to all school aged children during the summer, I always step back and become amazed at how truly successful this program has become. The park is literally filled with kids and parents watching. I know that sometimes Farm Credit Canada sponsors community initiatives. The soccer program has started with virtually no funding and today benefits from the donations of many local area businesses. I think the program is now big enough and respected enough that funds are needed in the future to keep up with continued expenses of the program to ensure that it has many more years of success. Business sponsorship has worked well to bolster this community event. We should continue to strive for this and look for more opportunities. If Chatham Kent became home to future Olympic athletes, I am confident that support from the community would come forward.

3. How will you work to make Chatham-Kent a healthier, more active place to live?What did you think of Council Candidate Dave VanDamme’s responses? Let us know in the comments below!