Essex Seeking Feedback On Renaming Of Essex Community Centre

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The Town of Essex is seeking feedback on the proposed renaming of the Essex Community Centre.

The Town of Essex has three similarly-named recreation facilities within Essex Centre including the Essex Recreation Complex, Essex Centre Sports Complex and the Essex Community Centre.

Town officials say that the ssimilarity in names has led to some confusion for facility users and program participants and a new, unique name for the community centre has been proopsed.

The proposed name is the Maedel Community Centre. The town says the name plays homage to one of the Town’s early business owners and community boosters.

In 1908, Edward Charles Maedel purchased a struggling soft drink company on Talbot Street in Essex and renamed it Maedel Beverages. From this shop Mr. Maedel manufactured soft drinks and sold the product by driving his soft drink truck throughout the County to various communities. In 1935, Mr. Maedel received the first Pepsi Cola franchise in all of Ontario, and the second franchise in all of Canada. From this expansion, Mr. Maedel built a new shop at the corner of Talbot and Brien Ave (current location of Essex Appliance Store) and continued as a main distributor for Pepsi Cola. In 1989, the Maedel family sold the business to a company from Toronto but the Pepsi factory which today exists on the outskirts of town is the direct result of Charles Maedel’ s efforts in bringing Pepsi to Essex.

“Besides being a business owner, Mr. Maedel was a true community man,” said Doug Sweet, Deputy CAO and Director of Community Services. “He helped build the former Essex Band shell, served as a firefighter and lifelong Rotarian, and volunteered his time to lead scouting groups, sports, and other youth activities.”

To help inform their decision, Council is seeking feedback on the proposed renaming. Submissions can be made with the online Essex Community Centre Renaming Feedback Form. Paper copies of the form will also be available at Town Hall and the Town’s recreation facilities starting Tuesday, March 10th.

Submissions will be accepted until Tuesday, March 24th.