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The Westmounter

looking back

on 2020

BRAD DUENCH, GENERAL MANAGER

It’s been more than five years since I developed innovative Member programs, so even

arrived at Westmount and not a day though they could not physically come to Westmount,

goes by when I’m not in awe of our they could still use the Club.
Club. As I reflect back on 2020, the “My team are incredibly talented;

year is one I will never forget. Not so COVID-19 allowed them to show a
much because of COVID-19–and the small sampling of what they can

related challenges–but the feeling of do, with a very limited canvas.”

appreciation for our amazing club. The Club did not just help Team Westmount–we
also helped the community. We opened our doors
The year began with Team Westmount still mourning to assist the local health care community, offering
the loss of Debbie McFadden. Every day I think about space, resources and many, many volunteers to collect
her and tears arrive. I often think: ‘how would Debbie and distribute PPE. Thank you Dr. Sean Gartner for
have fared through these uncertain times?’ My answer getting this rolling and Tobi Day-Hamilton and Leslie
is always that I think she would have put the needs of Huber for stepping up to assist with countless hours
others first, made everyone feel comfortable, safe, and of volunteer time. [Read more about this on page 20.]
protected. She lives in all of us each and every day.
The membership also raised funds to help with all the
In March, COVID-19 really hit home here in Ontario, and COVID-19 needs in our broader community.
in our region, with the declaration of a global pandemic. In no time May arrived, and we welcomed members and Team Westmount. Special thanks to our COVID Once summer arrived, the team worked hard to
Immediately Team Westmount went to work trying to and Team Westmount back to the Club. We worked Committee: Lyna Jones, Dorothy Gilchrist, Deb make sure things were as normal as possible for the
stay connected—not only to the members— but also to hard to create a safe environment for both Members Wynn and Charlene Chamberlain for working with members under COVID-19 restrictions by developing
the staff. I was so proud of the Board for their continued the management team to provide the safest possible creative programming and events.
support of Team Westmount during these times. environment.
As we look to the future at Westmount, the coronavirus
The Club paid almost three weeks of wages to the staff Thanks also to team members that stepped up might have taken a short gust of wind out of our sails,
to make sure no one went without while waiting for when asked and filled in wherever we needed them but I assure you planning for the future with the team
government funding. I have never been prouder. I know by working in other departments. I am so proud of we have here will be nothing short of extraordinary!
the team appreciated this gesture. And, because of this, everyone. At no time when we discussed how we
I am convinced we have the type of staff who are willing would operate was the answer, ‘No, we can’t do that!’ I look forward to being a part of this journey and seeing
to go above and beyond, just like the membership did how great we can make Westmount in 2021.
for them. The conversation was always about how could we do it.
My team is truly amazing.
Working remotely, Team Westmount dug in and

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