History was made in Killarney yesterday afternoon as members of the Heming family participated in the sod turning ceremony for Keith’s Korner, a commemorative park being built in honour of Keith Heming, who founded the Killarney Foundation in 1979. Keith’s sons and daughter, (Chris, Kevin, and Kimberly), together with their families, expressed how very pleased they were of the building of this park, and how their dad would have loved to have been in attendance.
The ceremony began at 1:00 on Thursday afternoon with Mayor of Killarney-Turtle Mountain, Rick Pauls, welcoming the Heming family to this most momentous occasion. Mayor Pauls explains how the park came to be.
“This is a project that has been taken on by Communities in Bloom, on a piece of property that has been eyed up for years as to what we’re going to do with it. The vision was to put a park here and we wanted to attribute it to somebody who has done great things for the community. So, the idea came up for a park to be built in honour of Keith Heming. Keith, as many of you know, started the Killarney Foundation here many years ago and now, it is a foundation that has over 6 million dollars in assets. This foundation has given millions of dollars back to the community. And this park is just one of the projects that has been funded by the foundation. Unfortunately, because of his health Keith was unable to attend. So, we’re very pleased to have his children and family here.”
Head of Killarney’s Communities in Bloom, Rose Bateman, expressed how it had been a dream of hers, since her arrival to Killarney many years ago, to have a park at this corner.
“After 10 years of walking past this corner, to have this park actually happen and to have the chance to honour someone who has been so important to our town, is truly wonderful. If you stop and think about all the groups that have benefited from the foundation, Killarney from all aspects, would be a totally different looking place. And, from day one they have sponsored Communities in Bloom. What you see all around town, the floral and everything, is really what the foundation has helped us do. And to be able to honour Keith this way is very special to me and special to our community. I’m just so proud of our community.”
Oldest son, Chris, travelled in with his family from Steinbach for the ceremony. He shared that his dad was presently in Palliative Care in the Victoria Hospital in Winnipeg and was unable to attend, but would have loved to have been part of the day.
Daughter, Kim (Heming) Valen travelled to Killarney with her family from Saskatoon. “This is very emotional and overwhelming,” she said. “It’s truly an honour to be here on behalf of my dad, with my brothers. It’s just so awesome to be able to come back to Killarney and feel the love for a great man.”
Winnipeg son, Kevin, presented his father’s speech, which expressed the love Keith has for the town of Killarney, calling it ‘an amazing jewel in the southwest region of friendly Manitoba.’ Keith was in his early thirties when he first came to Killarney.
“Who would imagine that for the next 39 years I would call killarney my home,” Kevin shared on behalf of his dad. “When I would go out to the city, or out of the country I would come “home” to Killarney. I developed my legal practice, my client base, long-lasting friendships and raised my family in this amazing jewel in the southwest region of friendly Manitoba. I have countless memories of Killarney. One of my fondest memories is the development of Kerry Park.”
Kevin went on to express how their father loved the town of Killarney.
“Dad loved this community. There’s no doubt about it. Dad started up the Killarney Foundation; one of the most successful small-town foundations in Canada; his baby, his pride and joy. Believe us when we tell you how many countless hours of paperwork, market speculation, and meetings related to the foundation us kids endured over the years. But wow did it pay off! Dad was awarded the Order of Canada. Because of that undying desire to grow the foundation, grow it to a level that would solidify this community, and lay the groundwork for future chairmen and directors. The foundation is strong and in great hands going forward from what he tells me. And that means so much to the Heming family. When I take my grandkids around Killarney I can say, ‘Take a look around kids, your great grandpa Keith has fingerprints all over this town.’ And quite frankly that’s awesome. This park is living proof of that as well.”
On behalf of the Heming family, Kevin thanked those who helped make this day and this park happen.
“We offer great thanks and gratitude to mayor Rick Pauls and Council, Turtle Mountain Conservation District, Communities in Bloom, Ellen from Leaf and Petal, CP Rail for use of the land, Tyler Shiels from Sunny Days, the Killarney Foundation and its Board Members, the Town of Killarney employees, and of course anyone else who has or will contribute to the space that has been called “Keith’s Korner”.”
As well, Kevin thanked those who have contributed in very significant ways such as Pugh’s (Sand and Gravel), Betty and Dennis Turner, Don Engbrecht and Brian Moore. Kevin sees, in a very significant way, that their dad has left a legacy here in Killarney.
Communities in Bloom member, Connie Blixhavn, says it was a wonderful afternoon to spend with the Heming Family on this very important day in Killarney history.
To complete the afternoon, long-standing resident Irene Wild, donated a cheque of $50,000 to the Killarney Foundation. Mayor Rick Pauls was very pleased Mrs. Wild was able to attend the sod-turning ceremony of Keith’s Korner, and support the foundation on this very day.
Members of CIB will be continuing to beautify the Town of Killarney throughout the summer months. Community in Bloom judges will be in Killarney on July 22 and 23.
The Grand Opening for the park is expected to be held in October.
Fri, Apr 19, 7:00 PM
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