Members of the Huntsville Curling Club are celebrating a $200,000 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
The funds will help the Club on its journey to becoming fully accessible for members and visitors alike. “Quite frankly, thanks to this funding, we’ll now be able to complete what would’ve been a multi-year, eight-year project. Investing about $1.2 million and helping us get to the finish line, and it’s going to result in us being fully wheelchair accessible on all levels, including the ice surface,” said Huntsville Curling Club President Ron Kreutzer.
“It’s about ensuring that our facility remains a welcoming space and where everyone in our community can participate, connect, and belong,” said Kreutzer, who thanked the Ontario Trillium Foundation for making an investment that will have a lasting effect for generations.
Graydon Smith, MPP for Parry Sound–Muskoka, said ensuring recreational facilities are accessible for everyone to enjoy is a priority of the Ontario government. “This renovation will ensure that anyone who wishes to curl can do so, and that all visitors are able to access the building safely and comfortably. I’m grateful to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for supporting this project, and I thank the Huntsville Curling Club for their commitment to making their facility truly open to all.”
The Huntsville Curling Club (HCC) is taking the final, crucial step in its multi-year plan to achieve full facility accessibility, thanks to the OTF grant. The funding will allow HCC to proceed with the demolition and complete reconstruction of accessible washrooms and change rooms. This work is the capstone of HCC’s ongoing commitment to inclusivity.
Recent years have already seen the successful construction of a fully accessible main entrance and the installation of a lift, ensuring all participants can easily reach every level, including the ice surface. These comprehensive upgrades guarantee that individuals of all ages and abilities can safely participate in curling and community programs within a truly welcoming environment.
“This OTF grant is transformative for us,” added Kreutzer. “It allows us to complete the final phase of our accessibility plan and welcome even more people to experience the sport of curling and the community spirit for which we are known.”
To learn more about the Club’s programs, or if you wish to inquire about using the space for meetings or events, visit www.huntsvillecurlingclub.ca.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Ontario government with a mission to build healthy and vibrant communities across the province. “And thanks to the funds we received from the Ontario government last year, OTF was able to invest $105M into more than 732 non-profit initiatives and multi-sector partnerships across the province,” said OTF representative Sarah Thatcher.
She said the case that HCC put forward for a grant was compelling. “It clearly showed the work again underway next spring, right after the curling season, will be a significant step forward in achieving the club’s accessibility goals. We are pleased that this year-long $200,000 grant will help you to do the structural, electrical, and plumbing work needed for the project,” said Thatcher. “OTF saw this grant as a smart investment as it’s helping you continue to provide more accessible and an energy-efficient space for people to gather and have fun in the years to come. Thank you for bringing your vision to our attention, and on behalf of the OTF, best of success with the work ahead. Congratulations.”
Visit otf.ca to learn more about the Foundation.
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