Dennis Lait: Longest term as Executive Director
Dennis Lait served one of the longest terms with Ladysmith Resources Centre Association, enjoying roles of founding director and then executive director from 1992 to 2015.
Six years ago he retired from the LRCA, and his 23-year legacy lingers.
Lait was a member of the RCMP who sat on the board as treasurer of the young organization launched in 1992. He remained in that role until 1995 when he retired from the RCMP and was hired as the executive director, saying “it’s only for a short period of time, until they (the board) find someone else.”
The executive director’s position was dear to his heart and lasted longer than he expected.
Bystanders could say he built the organization from the ground up, and that would be close to the truth.
“Certainly there were helpers along the way who contributed their time and expertise, but in all that time it was Dennis who was quietly doing the things that needed doing … aside from his job things like carpentry, painting, hauling, begging or borrowing to furnish the Centre and ensuring there was enough equipment and supplies to keep things running smoothly,” said one resident LRCA historian.
It was not unusual to see him working from early in the morning until late in the evening when renovations were needed in any of the locations the LRCA was housed in. This work was all voluntary, there was no overtime nor was there money to pay janitors or trades people.
The Centre began in the space where Dr. Marshall Butcher was housed, and it was Dennis who built partitions for walls and installed telephones or packed desks and chairs in, and found tenants to fill in some of the spaces to help with the rent.
LRCA’s second move was to the old veterinary clinic where the funeral home is located. That space was thoroughly renovated as well and it housed the LRCA for several years until it practically burst at the seams.
Back then LRCA provided office space for probation services, the Canadian Cancer Society, the Chamber of Commerce and the LRCA’s first youth and home support workers. It is at this location when Dennis began his career as executive director for the association.
From there the LRCA moved to its First Avenue location which houses the museum. In 2011, the LRCA moved to the brand new 2nd Avenue site at Spirit Square.
In 1997, the Town of Ladysmith approached the Centre to take over the Christmas Cheer program. “It was certainly a good thing Dennis had a truck because he was kept very busy that first year picking up food supplies and gifts for the hampers,” said a writer for the LRCA.
On Christmas Eve, he was called from a family dinner to deliver a hamper to a family who had not received one. Dennis made it happen by making up a box with food and gifts and delivering it.
LRCA has run a bingo (except during Covid) in the community since it was turned over to it by the Kinsmen Club in 1995. Only a few times did Dennis not volunteer his time at that fund-raising bingo, every Wednesday night for six hours each time, 52 weeks of the year.
It is said that over the year, a portrait of Dennis would show a diligent, very caring, optimistic, hard-working and honest man always willing to give his time to help others.
He never complained. His values and hard work have helped deliver the LRCA to where it is today. Dennis could face a challenge and come up with a solution quickly.
At work, he always had an open-door policy. How he ever got his own work done is a mystery because someone was always coming in to see him or there were staff issues to deal with.
The LRCA certainly looks back fondly at his time served, but he has earned the right to have some time for himself, his wife, daughter and grandchildren.
Thank you, Dennis!