Legendary Edmonton broadcaster, Bob Layton, is scheduled to perform at a fundraiser on June 12 in support of the Tofield Golden Club’s ‘Tofield of Dreams’ $1.5 million building expansion project. Layton retired from radio in 2020 after spending nearly 50 years on the air with 630 CHED. Although he has covered an incredible amount of news, delivered award winning editorials, as well as seen a large number of different community initiatives over the years, Layton said he was astonished at what the Tofield Golden Club had in mind for their project. He said he has never seen a group take on anything like this.
“I have not seen anything this big. I’ve seen a lot of smaller projects that were very successful and very important, but this one? This is the whole ball of wax,” he said during an interview with the Tofield Mercury.
The Golden Club began plans in Nov. for an expansion to their building, the town’s old firehall, which they have occupied since 1984. The Golden Club itself, a drop-in social center for seniors, was registered under the Societies Act in 1974. Expansion plans include doubling the size of the facility to include a gymnasium and sound stage, in addition to also serving as a disaster relief center for the town. The new building is expected to accommodate up to 300 people.
Layton said he was impressed with the group when he met with them to discuss the upcoming event and said the message the Tofield Golden Club is sending is one he also believes in wholeheartedly.
“I listened to different members of the committee when I went out there for a meeting with them. Everyone is totally committed to their part of the project. I think this should be an inspiration to people in other communities that they can get things done,” he said.
“Part of what I tell (people) is that I became a ventriloquist after I was a senior. I became an auctioneer, after I was a senior. And part of the message I give, is just because you’re a senior, doesn’t mean you can’t learn something newand take on a big project. And here is Tofield doing exactly what I’m saying.”
In terms of the projects name, Layton said he was also impressed.
“When I walked into their meeting, the first thing I saw was that sign that said ‘Tofield of Dreams’,” he said. “It’s wonderful.”
Meanwhile, Layton said the June 12 event will include his telling of stories from his first book, ‘Welcome to Radio’, which he describes as some (incredible) stories around his 50 years in broadcasting, including how women were not allowed to read the news at one time. His partner, helicopter pilot Shane Blakely, will also speak and show videos depicting things he ‘sees from the sky that you never see on television’. Layton will also include anecdotes from his second book ‘I’ll Puke in Your Pocket’, with stories around ‘weird things that happen to broadcasters who are out in the evening doing other things’.
Ticket sales are expected to be announced soon.
Jana Semeniuk
Staff Reporter
