Curling club well on its way to owning facility, trade show planned for new year

Posted Dec 22, 2011 By Kathryn Glynn

EMC News - Fundraising efforts at the Arnprior Curling Club are ramping up as the membership prepares to take ownership of the facility in the New Year.

The club must raise $100,000 for a down payment by the June 1, 2012 closing date.

Club president Sandra Tait remains optimistic.

"The Christmas in the Prior Home Tour was a resounding success," she said.

The tour which took place Nov. 19 featured five local homes decorated for Christmas. In addition to the homes, the curling club hosted participants to area business holiday demonstrations, coffee, tea and desserts in the upstairs lounge of the club.

"We sold 450 tickets and raised nearly $11,000 and was an excellent marketing venue for the club," she reports.

The tour is one of two large-scale fundraisers the club is counting on to help it in its bid to secure the property it now leases from the Arnprior Agricultural Society.

Plans for the second, a Trade Show in May, are well under way.

"There are 40 indoor spots available and an additional five outside," she said of the event that is attracting boat, car and all-terrain vehicle vendors.

The show is scheduled for May 5 and 6 and will take place at the Arnprior Curling Club located on Gavin Street in Arnprior. Cost of a booth is $500 and includes both print and radio advertising. To book a spot contact John Wahay, media director of the Arnprior Curling Club at 613-622-0018.

"We wanted to approach the local business community for help but wanted to offer them something in return," Wahay says of the decision to hold the Trade Show.

The club will also host their annual New Year's party next weekend, which attracts both club members and the public. Tait says tickets are going quickly with only a handful remaining.

The club has raised $60,000 to date. Some of this has come from private and business donations as well as smaller fundraising initiatives within the club including a draw for an HDTV.

"We offer curling programs for youth, seniors and adults and help to promote an attractive healthy lifestyle in our community. The tournaments and bonspiels held at the club attract visitors to the area who take the opportunity to shop, eat and sleep in our community," Tait offers.

"In addition to the existing challenges of running the club primarily on volunteer efforts, the club will have significant additional financial challenges, taking on a mortgage and incurring property taxes," Tait explains.

Currently the club pays for operating costs through membership fees and hall rentals.

The Arnprior Curling Club has been a recreational institution in Arnprior since 1869, starting as a curling club on the Ottawa River and progressing to its present facility on Gavin Street.

"We are currently working with the Ottawa Valley Curling Association to develop a business plan to maximize our success as we move forward," Tait concludes.