MINTO – Council here has approved a $6,000 in-kind sponsorship of a youth curling tournament next spring.
Palmerston Curling Club officials initially came to council on June 18 to request exclusive access to the Palmerston and District Community Centre Complex to host the 35th annual Ontario Elementary School Curling Championship next April.
The club was granted approval to host the event at that meeting and club president Chrissie Schneider returned to council on Sept. 17 with sponsorship information and a request for financial support of $6,000 from the town.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the Palmerston club,” Schneider told council.
The championship event will take place April 3 to 6 at the Palmerston community centre.
It will host 64 teams from across Ontario, from Grades 1 through 8, and bring over 300 people to the Minto community.
Schneider’s goal is to transform the community centre arena ice into a four-sheet curling venue, creating eight playing surfaces in total, with the club’s ice included.
This ensures all players will be playing under one roof, creating a “unique” experience, she added.
Schneider explained a significant portion of the event’s budget is directed to the transformation and preparation of the arena surface.
“Our ice-making team of Curling Canada trained and certified curling ice technicians will ensure an efficient transformation,” noted Schneider.
She also explained town staff will not be required until the event commences on April 3.
However, during the event she did request assistance from staff with cleaning and maintenance.
Councillor Paul Zimmerman expressed his disapproval of the donation.
“You’re asking the taxpayers from all of Minto to give … a donation and I’m struggling to find the benefit for the whole town when this is being held strictly in Palmerston,” said Zimmerman.
“One of the goals of our committee was to create a unique experience for those that are participating,” replied Schneider.
“If we can have this event under one roof … we can create a unified event.”
Zimmerman also noted the Ontario Curling site “not once mentioned the Town of Minto,” but rather “strictly” Palmerston.
“That’s really bothersome,” he added.
Councillor Ron Elliott has voiced support for the event numerous times, stating, “I believe our town should support it 100 per cent.”
Elliott also responded to Zimmerman’s point, arguing that attendees will have to explore Minto, as Palmerston “doesn’t have a restaurant,” and noting the facility in question will be “up and running anyway.”
“We’re talking dollars that really aren’t dollars … all our facilities are going to be used so I don’t see that as an argument,” Elliott stated.
Mayor Dave Turton apologized to Schneider for the discussion being “so onerous,” and assured her she wasn’t on the “hot seat.”
“I hope you’re not thinking that you’re selling this to us tonight.
“What you’re here to do is explain it to us,” Turton noted.
A resolution to donate a $6,000 facility credit to the Palmerston Curling Club, through the recreation facilities grants budget, was approved by council, with just Zimmerman opposed.
Due to the donation of the rental costs, the town will be recognized as a platinum sponsor of the curling tournament.
