Proudly Serving Our Community Since 1938
Where is Port Dover
Beautiful Silver Lake
The Jewel of Port Dover
Silver Lake Arial View
Click for larger image
Silver Lake is the jewel of our holdings.
Silver Lake had its beginnings when the first dam was
constructed in 1856 by Andrew Thompson to support Norfolk
Woollen Mill in Port Dover. The Lake was created by building
what we now call Misner dam on the south end of the Lake below
Ivey's Dam (which itself is designated as a heritage site).
A significant part of Port Dover's history has been linked to Silver Lake.
The 20 plus acres acquired
in the early 90s, is the former Ivey green house property. Ivey's, supplied
roses
to much of the North American market, employing many
in Port Dover over the years but fell victim to the monstrous inflation of the
80s. This acquisition has kept the Club busy. Much of the old facilities
were torn down and turned into green space for the pleasure of our community.
Some buildings were sold off to help defray the cost of the investment.
The big warehouse has been turned into a Market each Saturday, as well a
large portion is being utilized for food service to hungry Market customers, or
as a drop in centre where all can socialize, while enjoying a cup of free coffee.
Other parts of the building serve the community in many ways.
For years there was a very active Rowing Club
catering to youth and adults, with a gym. The Rowing Club has abandoned the location
after Silver Lake was drained, and remained unrestored for many years.
Line dancing, judo, art classes, Sunday Church Services and many more in
our community make use of these facilities.
We have planted many trees, wild flowers and the public has populated the park
with strategically located benches, a Herb Rogers pet project,
to enhance the pleasure of our visitors.
Some background about Silver Lake.
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Silver Lake Drained
Silver Lake has been drained to asses the damage to Misner dam, controlling
the water level. Stripped naked of her natural beauty and elegance she
awaits the engineering report that could decide her fate.
The opportunity to dredge silt deposited over the years, while the
soil is frozen, seems to have been missed but the time to tackel this
critical issue is still not passed. Silver Lake has
served the community well over the years, from being a source of ice in days
of old and a source of irrigation to Ivey's greenhouses, to recreational
pursuits; swimming, fishing, canoeing, hockey and the home of the Rowing Club,
which has been instrumental
in producing so many world class athletes. For her size she has
provided well for this community. Silver Lake has become an
essential part of this community as
well as a source of pride to all who reside here.
The Naked Silver Lake Spring 2010
Misner Dam Debate - Perspective – Opposing view to Silver Lake restoration
Silver Lake Dam – Removing the logs from the dam.
Fixing Misner Dam – Reader Letter to Maple Leaf.
Silver Lake Revitalisation – Reader Letter to Maple Leaf.
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Port Dover Waterfront Preservation Association Website
Silver Lake & Vicinity Image source: Port Dover Waterfront Preservation Association
Click for larger image
Lions Silver Lake Market
320 St. Patrick Street
NOTE: The Green building refreshed with brown exterior
Silver Lake Market 320 St. Patrick Street
Click for larger interactive map
Our
Silver Lake Market
provides the local community and tourists access to locally produced food
products: i.e. meat, baked goods, cheese, flowers, prepared food
products, fruits and vegetables. The market, managed by Marty Forsyth
and assisted by his wife Donna for many years, has
evolved and grown to the point where it has become
an indispensable community resource. Young and old, local and tourist
look forward to the Saturday morning shopping experience. Fresh local
farm products, lovingly prepared foods as well as seasonal specialties
complemented by the social atmosphere of the food service, keeps
the market humming 52 weeks a year.
Special occasions are celebrated in style. St. Patrick's day has seen
large crowds enjoying the humour and smooth crooning of Tom Jordan and
the choir from Knox Presbyterian Church entertains with Christmas Carols
to enhance the holiday spirit.
Come and visit the special atmosphere at our market.
Defibrillator
– donated to Lions Silver Lake Market.
Many Thanks for your thoughtful and generous donation.
Marine Heritage Festival
Not a Lions event but Silver Lake Park serves as Military Encampment
for the 1812 reenactors.
The annual event seems to be growing both in size and popularity.
Tents of all sizes and shapes, cooking fires and period costumes are the
venue for the weekend.
Red-coated British regulars, Canadian Militia, Native allies and
American invaders will all be encamped at Silver Lake
Park along with Sutlers and historic merchants. Ongoing demonstrations
and drills take place around the encampment along with
full-fledged land battles Saturday and Sunday.
Some of the highlights are the 1812 naval and military encampments, in 2010
the (tall ship) Brigantine "St. Lawrence II" will be in port, there
will be mock battles on land and sea, wooden boat exhibits and
music, lots of music.
The "Battle on the Beach", canon fire and smoke, takes place Saturday on the beach
and on the waters of Lake Erie.
Building the Deck
Building a deck with wheelchair access, facilitating easy access to
all parts of the building.
Leos Projects
A playground and a Memorial Fountain, fronting on St. Patrick Street, were
contributed by the industrious Port Dover
LEOs
(the youth branch of Lions).
The Fountain dedication November 13th 2015 were attended by our MP Diane Finley, MPP Toby Barrett and Councillor
John Wells and of course many proud Lions, parents and members of our community.
The Playground dedicated in August 2007 provides yougsters with healthy but fun
exercise equipment.
A heartfelt thanks and congratulations to these young adults for their
contributions to not only our community, but also their significant contribution
to the global community.
Paving Silver Lake Parking Lot
Finally the battle to fill the pot holes each spring is over. The parking lot
is much safer. No puddles or potholes to dodge.
A Facelift
After decades, known as the Green Building, a new coat to rejuvinate
the old building has changed the complexion of the faded and worn exterior in 2016 to
the current brown exterior.
Many images on this site are from a time when the
Lions Market building was clad in green.
Google maps may still display the Green exterior of the building from a few years ago.
Boardroom Rebuild
As part of the never ending upgrade projects, the Board Room has been
rebuilt to meet the current building code, with a kitchenette added.
It certainly is brighter and more functional.
Walt's Place Kitchen
From a simple idea by Walt Long, to enhance the shopping experience for
our customers and a very simple menu as well as humble beginnings
"Walt's Place" has grown into a beautiful facility
and very much appreciated by our loyal customers. From not much more than a
single table and a few chairs we have grown to accommodate nearly 100
and the place is often packed.
Come enjoy a great breakfast at reasonable prices or just drop in and
chat with friends and neighbours. Coffee or Tea is on us.
Picnic Pavilion
The latest addition to Silver Lake Park is the Picnic Pavilion.
Lion Don Tomlinson and Wayne Roberts have been busy crossing all the
ts and dotting all is.
Initially the design had to be approved,
plans drawn up and quotes obtained. Once the club approved the $60-80,000
expenditure; permits and final quotes were the order of the day, till the
groundbreaking in mid May 2009. The pavilion will have many uses for our
community, not the least of which is the huge stage section, facing the
soccer field, to house the entertainment on Canada Day. Great progress
on the construction project will allow our Canada Day celebrations 2009 to
facilitate the enetertainment and initiate the Picnic Pavilion, even without
the roof being completed.
Site Index |
Lions Projects |
Sports Complex |
New Year's |
Fish Fry |
Friday 13th |
Canada Day |
Celebrations |
Golf Pictures |
Turkey Raffle
Today is:
–
,
and
!
e-mail:
pdlc@rocketmail.com
320 St. Patrick Street
Box 1328 Port Dover ON N0A 1N0
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