The Municipality of Chatham-Kent and a Tilbury company are taking a gambit with two human-sized chess and checker sets in hopes they will promote community engagement.
The sets will come from New Rubber Technologies, which is donating the chess board squares. The municipality will cover the remaining costs of the set through the mayor’s portion of the councilor ward fund program, a news release said.
One set will be located in Wallaceburg. The exact location wasn’t disclosed, but the release said it will “be placed in a central location accessible to everyone.” The location of the second set is still to be determined.
The release said the set in Wallaceburg will be available this summer.
“It provides an opportunity for people of all ages and background to come together, have fun and create new connections,” Mayor Darrin Canniff said in the release.
“We are grateful for the generous donation of these sets and look forward to seeing our community come together over a game of giant chess. This is an excellent example of how a small initiative can have a big impact on our community, and I am excited to see the positive impact this program will have on our residents.”
The municipality said it hopes to encourage people to learn to play chess while enjoying the outdoors and public spaces.
In a statement, New Rubber Technologies said the sets will be a way to promote “community bonding” and create lasting memories for Chatham-Kent residents.
“Our company strongly believes in the power of leisure activities that promote strategic thinking, social interaction and healthy competition,” Greg Gawne, company president and general manager, said in the release.
“By installing these giant chess sets, we aim to create a space where people of all ages and backgrounds can gather, enjoy the outdoors and participate in a timeless game that transcends generations.”