Fred and Betty Lou Clarke, and the Clarke Group of Companies believe in giving back to the community. One of their most impactful donations took place In 1993 when the Clarke's, the Clarke Group of Companies, and the Clarke Foundation joined with the community of Mission in the dream to construct a first class 704 seat theatre.
With a sizeable donation from the Clarke Foundation the Theatre would have all the amenities needed to have a significant impact on arts programs and theatre performances in Mission and the Fraser Valley. Since the Clarke Foundation Theatre's Gala Opening on October 26, 1996, it has become a vibrant centre for community arts and culture.
The Clarke Foundation Theatre, now commonly referred to as the Clarke Theatre, hosts touring national and international productions, local musicians, locaI music festivals, school theatre productions, and community events. With the Theatre's many volunteers, productions, and professional staff it has grown to become an integral part of the Mission and Fraser Valley cultural and audience scene.
The Clarke family's entrepreneurial spirit and philanthropic efforts have played a crucial role in supporting the community of Mission and British Columbia. The local economy, the cultural community and amateur sport have all benefited from the success of The Clarke Group of Companies.
Founded on the family's commitment to supporting community, the family has continued to demonstrate both their dedication to business and commitment to the community Mission through their buy local first and environmental policies, and with their support of the Clarke Foundation Theatre, amateur hockey and local emerging golfers.
A Charted Accountant, Fred Clarke graduated from UBC some 70 years ago, taking over his father's company Green River Log Sales in 1969. In the same year Fred founded the Clarke Group of Companies. Under his leadership, The Clarke Group of Companies became a major regional supporter specializing in shakes and shingles, custom lumber cutting, wood treating, and roofing materials used in homes across North America.
Now a third-generation family-owned group of companies, their sixty years of generational experience and vast product knowledge allows them to produce the highest quality products for the best value. The Clarke Group of Companies recognizes the importance of wood fiber building
products and has made a company pledge to the Environment and North America's forests; North
America's forests are what make the Clarke Group viable. So, their tong-term goal is maintenance
of wildlife, air quality, recreation and jobs, to ensure their existence for future generations.
ln their production facilities they are committed to full fiber recovery. They use virtually 100% of all wood fiber entering their mills for shakes, shingles and custom chipping.
