On Oct. 13, members of the Elora Curling Club hosted a celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony to thank two of its funders, the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) and the federal government for its Canada 150 Infrastructure grant.
Thanks to these funds, upgrades and renovations have been made to the curling club that will ensure that people of all ages, cultures and abilities will be able to enjoy curling as a fun and affordable physical activity.
In late 2015, the club received a $126,500 capital grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to replace the facility’s ice-making components. Local MPP Ted Arnott and Gebre Berihun, an OTF volunteer, were on hand to hear how a new chiller and headers were vital to safety and consistency of the ice surface at the club. An agency of the Government of Ontario, OTF is one of Canada’s largest granting foundations. With a budget of over $136 million, it awards grants to some 1,000 projects every year to build healthy and vibrant Ontario communities.
“We are very grateful for the support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation,” said Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott.
“I also want to express my thanks to everyone at the Elora Curling Club. This grant will help them ensure that the ice surface is just right for safe curling.”
The Elora Curling Club was fortunate to receive a second grant worth $47,100 from the Canada 150 Infrastructure Program. It was used, with matching funds from the club, to replace the condenser, compressor and electrical panel.
“I’m pleased that the federal government is providing support to the Elora Curling Club,” said Wellington-Halton Hills MP Michael Chong. “It’s fitting that funding through the Canada 150 Fund will help a community organization that’s been in existence since before Confederation.”
Grand River Agricultural Society, Granite Homes, Centre Wellington Contractors Association, Wellington Brewery and Stonehammer, as well as generous donations of money and time from the members of the curling club have been appreciated.
“The impact of these grants and donations cannot be underestimated,” said Steve Adema, president of the Elora Curling Club.
“They have allowed needed renovations to be made. Our equipment was living on borrowed time. The cost of replacing the equipment, along with the hydro costs of running the old machinery was becoming out of reach for a club of our size,” he said.
“Receiving these grants and donations has ensured the continued operation of our Curling Club for many years to come.”
Adema added, “For several years now, we have known our ice plant was aging … not so quietly pumping away in the back room.
Chair Shelly Sheridan said it was exciting to receive the email stated the club was getting the Trillium grant which paid for 100% of the new chiller and 100% of the new header.
The Elora Curling Club was founded in 1839.
