Published Monday March 19th, 2007 - Appeared on page C4

Bobbi-Jean MacKinnon
Telegraph-Journal

The YMCA-YWCA has always held a special place in Brice Belyea’s heart.

It’s where he learned to swim, at age six. It’s where his romance with his wife of 34 years blossomed. And it’s where he befriended the four men he will be recognized with next month as Red Triangle recipients.

"It’s an honour," said Belyea, 64, of Kennebecasis Park . "Particularly to be named with a group that has worked so well together and have such respect and trust for one another," he added, noting the award normally goes to an individual.

The other recipients include: David Carlin , Blair MacDonald , Clark Sancton and Bob Vincent, also known as The Friends Group.

They met at the Y, became friends and turned their shared interest in the Y into a concerted effort to enhance its place in the community.

It all started about six or seven years ago when the Y was contemplating a move to Chesley Drive, said Belyea, who is chairman of CanLink Global Inc., a company involved in international trade and the training of Chinese student airline pilots.

The board asked the men, who collectively have a lot of business, financial and negotiating experience, to look at the business plan and help with the capital campaign, he said.

Then, when the Y was in financial stress, the group was used as a sounding board, and to assist in some decisions about management.

"At one time we referred to ourselves as The Rump Group," joked Belyea, referring to the fact they didn’t have any actual authority. "But we enjoyed helping with some of the challenges and concerns."

Belyea’s involvement with the Y started when he was six years old, when his father took him on a bus from their South End home to the Y’s swimming program, then located at Saint John Vocational School on Douglas Avenue.

A few years later, he attended the "new, shiny Y" on Hazen Avenue weekly with his King Edward School classmates to swim and play in the gym.

By junior high, Belyea went to the Y almost every day after school to play basketball and volleyball. "It was one of our favourite places to go. . . . It was our place."

In high school, Belyea continued his daily Y visits, playing ping pong and lifting weights. And on Friday nights, there were the teen centres dances, which girls attended. "I have some very fond memories there," he laughs.

Although Belyea met his wife Cathy at school, he credits those dances for their relationship.

Belyea went on to become a Y board member for a number of years, including holding the president’s position in the early 1990s. He also served as chairman of the Camp Glenburn committee, among others, and was founding member of the Y endowment fund, a separate company to ensure its longevity by raising money and acting as guardian of any money left to the Y.

His work will not stop with the Red Triangle award, he stressed. "I have such hope for the Y to move forward once they decide on a permanent location. The Y can be so much more than just a building in the downtown.

"I see this (award) as more of a challenge for us to continue our work, keep our group together and encourage others to join us."

The Red Triangle, associated with the Y since 1880, recognizes long and meritorious service, outstanding contributions and achievement in the community. The three equal sides stand for equal development of the spirit, the mind and the body within the whole person.

Community members submit nominations and an independent committee chooses the winner.

Past recipients include James MacMurray, Philip Oland, G. Forbes Elliot, Elsie Wayne and Dr. Ed Doherty .

Jeff Sparks will also be named by the Y as Leader to Watch. Sparks , who lives with spinal muscular atrophy, and is wheelchair-bound, is the president of Kaleidoscope Management Solutions, a consulting firm that works with companies to address diversity in the workplace and human resource management.

The awards will be presented at a gala fundraising dinner April 19 at the Delta Brunswick Hotel. This year’s theme is building a strong foundation.