It is the oldest continuously operating curling club in Ontario and Centre Wellington councillors had little hesitation approving an agreement to lend the Fergus Curling Club $25,000 interest free, to be repaid over five years.
Council heard on May 7 the club had attempted to obtain a Trillium Foundation grant for major repairs to a part of its roof, but was unsuccessful.
Treasurer Wes Snarr told council in his report it had authorized an interest-free loan of that amount several months ago, subject to the club’s successful application to the Trillium fund.
“The loan was subject to their funding from the Ontario Trillum Foundation being approved and their entering into a contract for the replacement of the roof as set out in the application,” Snarr said in his report to council.
But, he noted, that application was not approved.
Snarr said in his report the club is now seeking a loan to assist in the financing of the repairs to the section of the roof over the lounge area.
“This section is in the worst condition and leaking badly. The cost estimate for this repair is $35,000 to $45,000.”
He added, “Completion of this project will make approval of the club’s next application for funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation more likely.”
Snarr explained the club will “likely get” the grant with its next application because the loan demonstrates community support.
He noted the Elora and Fergus clubs own their own buildings but those buildings are both on township property.
Councillor Kelly Linton said he is interested in the interest-free part of the loan, and asked if the township has a policy for such loans.
Snarr said the township does not have one. He added the only other loan he can recall like that was to the Fergus Business Improvement Area for a lights project on the Grand River that came about earlier this year.
Linton asked what criteria would apply for council granting an interest-free loan.
Councillor Fred Morris said there is a precedent, and he remembers such a loan to the Elora Curling Club for a similar project.
Council then voted to permit the loan, and agreed to consider a formal policy for such loans in the future. That carried unanimously. Councillor Walt Visser was absent.
