Conrad Kain Centre

The Conrad Kain Centennial Society is proposing the construction of a Conrad Kain Centre in the village of Wilmer, comprising a hall that will provide an attractive and sustainable gathering place for all forms of community activities and events. The hall would replace an existing antequated structure. It would serve as a physical venue where people, both local and visitors, can learn about Conrad Kain and his love of nature and mountains. The Conrad Kain Centre would additionally serve as a location for functions such as weddings, community club meetings, and a drop-in Senior Center.

The Centre would possess a multimedia capability for movies and slideshows and would be suitable for meetings and conventions requiring a modest-sized facility. Hall rental fees for such events would generate revenue and cost-recovery for maintenance of the building and site.

The Society is also supporting improvement to the existing playground adjacent to the hall, which has been renamed the Conrad Kain Park. This renovation includes a new entry gate to the park and provision for an outdoor skating rink and generous space for summer games.

Other more immediate projects include the construction of a “Conrad Kain” rock cairn on the hall site (in July, 2009), affixed with bronze plaques and tributes from several international climbing organizations, including the ACC. See News & Events for details.

Plans are also underway to introduce history classes based on Kain’s life and era into local school curriculums.

The CKCS and Wilmer Community Club are soliciting funds, volunteer workers and in-kind services to build the hall, and with the assistance of the Windermere District Historical Society, collecting Kain photos and memorabilia for its interpretive component.