MOUNT FOREST – The Township of Wellington North will take the lead on an application for financial assistance to the Mount Forest Lawn Bowling Club.
At the Oct. 12 meeting, council approved a report from economic development officer Dale Small recommending the township partner with the club and fulfil the role as lead agency on a COVID-19 Community Response Fund application to the Centre Wellington Community Foundation.
Club president Brenda Eckhardt explained, in the text of a grant application to the township, that COVID-19 has hit the club hard.
“We have been unable to run programs in 2019 and 2020. With no income and all of the typical expenses we have used up our savings and incurred a debt of over $1,500,” stated Ekhardt.
Ekhardt pointed out the club had made a decision in June to close the club and sell the land, but changed their mind when some community members stepped up and offered to help out the 120-year-old club.
In a staff report, Small noted the club is looking to the township for financial support to cover some operating expenses as they “try and survive financially until next spring when they can launch a major recruitment drive.”
Small noted while the club was encouraged to apply to the Centre Wellington Community Foundation COVID-19 Community Response Fund for assistance, recipients must be a registered charity able to issue tax donation receipts.
“For applicants, such as service clubs and other not-for-profit organizations, who do not meet the criteria, they must partner with a local municipality or registered charity,” Small explained.
Small pointed out the township has partnered on successful applications to the foundation with both the Mount Forest Family Health Team and the Mount Forest Lions Club.
“Council approval to also partner with the Mount Forest Lawn Bowling Club is being requested,” the report states.
