Service and Community groups in Lively and Walden area

Lively and Walden (part of Greater Sudbury) have a strong network of community-led organizations ranging from traditional service clubs to active recreational groups.

Below are the primary service and community groups currently active in the area:

Service & Community Support Clubs

  • Walden Lions Club: One of the most active service groups in town. They operate out of the Lions Den (located in the basement of the Walden Arena) and support local causes like “Home Alone” safety programs and youth sports.
  • Kinsmen Club of Walden: Based at the Walden Kinsmen Hall (15 Kin Drive). They host community events and provide facility rentals for local functions.
  • Walden Community Action Network (CAN): A volunteer-led group that acts as a liaison between the community and the City of Greater Sudbury. They focus on local improvements, parks, and infrastructure.
  • Royal Canadian Legion: While Lively does not have its own standalone branch anymore, veterans and community members are primarily served by Branch 564 (Lockerby), which supports the wider Walden area.

Social & Wellness Groups

  • Walden Seniors and Pensioners Centre: Located at 325 Anderson Drive (within the T.M. Davies Community Centre). It is a hub for older adults to participate in cards, fitness, and social dinners.
  • Walden Food Bank: Operating out of the Anderson Drive area, this volunteer-run service provides essential support to local families.
  • Walden Youth Centre: A safe space for local youth (generally ages 10–18) to hang out, participate in programming, and volunteer.

Recreational & Sports Organizations

Lively is known for its high level of community involvement in sports, often run by dedicated volunteer boards:

  • Walden Winter Carnival Committee: A massive volunteer effort that organizes one of the region’s largest winter festivals every February.
  • Walden Minor Hockey Association: Manages the local youth hockey programs at the T.M. Davies Arena.
  • Walden Cross Country (Nordic Ski Club): Located in Naughton, this non-profit manages an extensive trail system and offers youth programs like “Jackrabbits.”
  • Walden Mountain Bike Club (WMBC): Maintains the local single-track trails and hosts group rides for women, men, and youth throughout the summer.
  • Copper Cliff Skating Club: Though named for the neighboring town, they operate heavily out of the Lively arena, providing figure skating and “CanSkate” lessons.

Faith-Based Groups

Several local churches host community outreach, including “Men’s Groups,” prayer shawl ministries, and youth breakfasts:

  • Christ Church Anglican (Sixth Ave)
  • St. Peter’s United Church (Sixth Ave)
  • Cornerstone Community Church (Niemi Rd)
  • St. Pius X Catholic Church (Sixth Ave)

The Knights of Columbus

The Knights of Columbus council serving the Walden and Lively area is the Father J. E. Regan Council #3909. This council is deeply integrated into the local Catholic community, specifically supporting the parishes of St. Pius X (Lively), St. Stanislaus (Copper Cliff), and St. Christopher (Whitefish).

Key Council Information

Council Name: Father J. E. Regan Council #3909

Location: Based out of Lively, Ontario.

Parish Affiliation: St. Pius X Parish (45 A St., Lively, ON).

Contact Address: 3 Irene Crescent, Lively, ON P3Y 1M9.

Current Leadership:

The council is currently led by Grand Knight Melvin S. Chomiak (as of the 2025–2026 fraternal year).

Community & Charitable Activities

Council #3909 is well-known in the Walden area for its “Faith in Action” programs. Some of their most prominent initiatives include:

  • Stanislaus Cemetery Care: The council has a long history of maintaining and improving the St. Stanislaus Cemetery off Highway 55. This includes landscaping, building the gazebo, and installing reflective gardens.
  • Coats for Kids: They participate in the annual Ontario-wide drive to provide winter clothing for children in need within the Sudbury district.
  • International Missions: One of their most dedicated members, Oli Cajanek, is the founder of Amigos del Centro Comunitario Familia, a mission in Mazatlan, Mexico, which the council has supported for decades.

Parish Support: The Knights are active in parish life, assisting with pancake breakfasts, fundraising for church renovations, and providing honor guards for special liturgical celebrations.

Membership & Contact

The council welcomes all practicing Catholic men aged 18 and older. Membership focuses on the four pillars of Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism.

Field Agent: For insurance or specific membership inquiries in the Lively area, you can contact the regional field agent, Bobby Renaud, at (705) 524-2439.

Joining: You can also join or express interest online through the Ontario Knights of Columbus website.

Local Neighborhood Associations

Many of the smaller playgrounds and parks are maintained or supported by neighborhood-specific volunteer groups, such as:

  • Simon Lake Park Association
  • Sixth Avenue Playground Association
  • Pine Heights Playground Association

Here are the contact details and meeting schedules for the primary service and community groups in Lively and Walden.

Service Clubs & Community Support

Organization Meeting Time / Hours Contact Information
Walden Lions Club  

 

2nd & 4th Wed (6:30 PM) at Naughton Community Centre

 

 

 

Phone: 705-692-9468 (Pres. Don Raymond)

Email: waldenlions57@gmail.com

Kinsmen Club of Walden  

 

Varies (Mainly event-based; Hall at 15 Kin Dr.)

 

 

 

Phone: 705-522-9200 (Main Office)

Web: Sudbury Kinsmen

Walden CAN  

 

Generally monthly; dates vary by project

 

 

 

Phone: Dial 311 (City of Sudbury)

Web: Greater Sudbury CANs

Lockerby Legion (Br. 564)  

 

2nd Tuesday of the month (7:00 PM)

 

 

 

Phone: 705-522-4604

Web: legion564.ca

Walden Food Bank  

Thursdays (1:00 PM – 3:00 PM)

 

 

 

Phone: 705-690-5778

Email: waldenfoodbank215@gmail.com

Youth & Seniors Groups

  • Walden Seniors and Pensioners Centre
    • Hours: Mon–Fri, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM (15 Kin Dr.)
    • Weekly Highlights: Soup & Sandwich Mondays (11:30 AM), Hotdog Tuesdays (11:30 AM),
    • Cards and Crafts throughout the week.
    • Contact: 705-692-5591 | waldenseniors@hotmail.com
  • Walden Youth Centre
    • Hours: Mon–Fri, 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Located in the Lively Library complex).
    • Contact: 705-692-1777 | Facebook Page
  • Walden Winter Carnival Committee
    • Meetings: Increase in frequency leading up to February.
    • Contact: 705-918-1560 | waldenwintercarnival@gmail.com

Recreational & Sports Clubs

  • Walden Cross Country (Nordic Ski Club)
    • Schedule: Chalet open daily in winter (1 Denis Ave, Naughton).
    • Jackrabbits programs on Saturdays; Adult lessons on Wed/Thu evenings.
    • Contact: 705-692-2321 | info@waldenxc.ca
  • Walden Mountain Bike Club (WMBC)
    • Group Rides: Mondays (Women’s Ride, 6:30 PM) and Tuesdays (Mixed/Fat Bike, 6:30 PM) at Walden Trails.
    • Contact: info@waldenmbc.ca | waldenmbc.ca
  • Copper Cliff Skating Club
    • Schedule: Sessions held at T.M. Davies Arena (Lively) and McClelland Arena.
    • Contact: info@coppercliffskatingclub.com
  • Walden Minor Hockey Association
    • Contact: 705-626-9089 (Darren Vagnini) | walden.minor.hockey@gmail.com

Note: For the Walden Community Action Network (CAN), meeting dates are often posted on their specific Facebook group or the City of Greater Sudbury’s “Over To You” portal, as they are scheduled based on current municipal projects.