The Whitecourt Curling Club is in a tough financial spot, and is hoping Woodlands County can help.
The curling club pleaded their case to Woodlands County council at the County’s May 11, 2022 meeting.
The pandemic has hit the curling club hard for the past two years. According to the curling club’s presentation, they had to cancel the past two curling seasons plus any other revenue-generating events they could host.
The curling club has worked hard to make up their financial deficit. They have run 50/50 fundraisers and worked casinos, but it is not enough. The curling club is projecting a utilities deficit of $41,560.
In order to ensure the next curling season goes ahead, the curling club asked Woodlands County to pay off 50 per cent of the deficit, which is $20,780. They need $12,193 in 2022, and the remainder in 2023.
Councillor David Kusch wanted to know how this ask stacked up to other County recreation facilities.
Administration replied they did not have the exact figures at the ready, but the most comparable would be the Fort Assiniboine Curling Rink. For Fort Assiniboine, the County covers approximately 75 per cent of the utilities.
The curling club then chimed in, assuring council this is a one-time ask. The curling club’s problems were compounded by their ice plant needing $50,000 in repairs right before the pandemic happened. The following cancellations of the seasons hindered their ability to recoup the loss. The curling club figures that, thanks to good budgeting and a new season, it will not be long before they are self-sufficient again.
Councillor Peter Kulkien was impressed with the curling club’s financials, noting this was the first time the curling club had asked for financial help.
“You guys have run a pretty tight ship for a whole number of years, which is something that is a bit unique for us in the smaller communities,” said Kulkien.
Reeve John Burrows went on to predict that many other community organizations may soon be making requests like this.
“COVID might be over, but I think the after effects are going to ripple for a long time,” shared Burrows. “I would think that we are going to have to prepare ourselves to see continued issues like this, so the best thing I can say in a time like this is get out and support your community clubs.”
Woodlands County council accepted the report as information, and the financial ask has been deferred to their 2023 budget deliberations.
The Whitecourt Curling Club estimates about 30 per cent of their patrons hail from Woodlands County.
