by CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
COBDEN — The fundraising coffers of the Champlain Trail Curling Club, aka Cobden curling club, received a large boost from the Cobden and District Civitan Club.
A $10,000 cheque was presented to Ken Francis, president of the club, by Civitan president Kevin Lamorie Tuesday evening.
“We’re here to support one of the community’s big endeavours, which is the Cobden curling club,” Mr. Lamorie said during the club’s meeting.
“We voted to donate and help the club with a donation of $10,000,” he said.
Mr. Francis thanked the Civitan club for the donation.
“It’s going to be a long road,” he said, “but we can’t afford to quit or close down or half the people won’t come back.”
A loan may have to be taken out, but the work needs to be done, he said. The rink’s compressor is only working at half-capacity, and that half is leaking oil. It needs to be replaced and the cost will be around the $100,000 mark.
“This donation will make it a lot closer,” he said.
Following the meeting, Mr. Francis said to begin work on the project, 40 percent of the funds must be paid. He also noted four companies bid on the job and it should be awarded next week.
The club was built in 1960 and he is the only curler left who was one of the first curlers.
“My dad, Herb Francis, was the first president,” he said.
Mr. Francis said they have looked at all available grant monies, and there are none that suit the organization at this time.
While it’s expected the compressor will last until the season’s end, which is the first weekend in April, it’s hoped the new one will be in place before the Cobden Fair, which is at the end of August.
This is not the first major expense for the club, however, funds keep decreasing as expenses continue to increase, he said.
Fundraisers are now being organized.
There is a breakfast at the Cobden Agricultural Hall on Sunday, March 19 from 8:30 to 11 a.m.
A trivia night is scheduled for Friday, March 24, at the curling club. To register for the trivia, contact Shawna McGrath, 613-646-2111.
