Curling is a sport that can be enjoyed by all ages, skill sets, and physical abilities. The Huntsville Curling Club hopes to practise this type of absolute inclusivity in the near future, by raising funds for renovations that will make their building completely wheelchair accessible.
The HCC is running an online wine, craft beer, and spirits raffle. All funds raised will go towards improving the building’s accessibility.
“In order to be fully accessible, the entire bottom level needs to be redone because it is not wheelchair accessible,” says HCC president Beth Goodhew. The HCC building has three separate levels—the entry level, the ice level, and the lounge level—and currently there are stairs between each one. Goodhew also points out that the hallways and bathrooms are too small to be wheelchair accessible.
The funds required to upgrade the entire building are significant—approximately $500,000, Goodhew estimates. As a result, the club recognizes renovations will not all happen at once, so they have broken the project into smaller pieces.
First up is installation of wheelchair accessible doors at the entryway and a lift or elevator that will stop at all three levels. When the club acquires more funds, they will move on to other projects, mainly a complete redo of the lower level to allow wheelchair access to every room and to the elevator.
“We won’t have enough money to do the whole thing right away,” Goodhew says, “but we want to slowly chip away at it as we can.”
The HCC is hoping to bring in funds for the initial projects through the raffle because COVID-19 restrictions have created a huge setback for fundraising.
“We did a lot of fundraisers until COVID,” Goodhew says. “COVID has completely eliminated our ability to make additional funds that we can put towards the club.”
Past fundraisers have included the pancake breakfast and the “Rocks to Riches” golf tournament. The HCC also had plans to host a Lobster Fest in 2020 and succeeding years, but that has not yet happened due to COVID. The HCC continues to fundraise internally; part of member fees every year go toward capital improvements. The club has also applied for government grants.
All renovations will occur during the off-season, between April and September.
Between April and September of 2021, the club used an Ontario Trillium Foundation grant to complete several crucial projects in their existing building, after Huntsville council said it was unable to provide funds for a new multi-purpose facility. These projects included a new roof, lights, and air exchange system.
As soon as COVID restrictions allow, the club hopes to resume their fundraisers, launch the Lobster Fest, and host curling events that will help bring in funds for the club. In the meantime, the club is looking into hosting online auctions and more online raffles.
The club has high hopes and big plans for when the building is fully accessible. They plan to host wheelchair events and tournaments and create an inclusive space for everyone, not just for
curling but as a place to spend time with a warm and welcoming community of people.
“We have one Huntsville resident that moved to Huntsville many years ago and is in a wheelchair
and her goal was to be able to curl at the Huntsville Curling Club in her lifetime,” Goodhew says. “I
have hopes that we will be able to do that and be wheelchair accessible not only for curling but also
for events. We are a great event rental space and right now it is not accessible.”
The online raffle offers six different prize packages comprised of wine, craft beer, and spirits, and the
first prize has a value of $650. Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased online. The draw will take place on February 19 at 1 p.m.
A significant amount of the prizes are being funded through the raffle and through curling club member fees. Some prizes have also been donated by local
businesses, including Canvas Brewing Co., Muskoka Brewery, Lake of Bays Brewing Co., Clear Lake
Brewing Co., Affogato Cafe, The Nutty Chocolatier, and Deerhurst Resort.
Goodhew urges the community to get involved and participate in the raffle.
“We have been pretty self-sustaining at the club, but we are at a point where accessibility is out of our reach,” Goodhew says. “In order to get accessibility to a reality, we need the community’s help.”
For more information on the Huntsville Curling Club, visit huntsvillecurlingclub.ca.
To purchase raffle tickets, visit trellis.org/hccwinecraftbeerandspiritsvalentinesraffle
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