‘Spieling’ in the rain…
Administrator | Mar 07, 2011 | Comments 1
Torrential rain this weekend played havoc with the Prince Edward Curling Club Heritage Bonspiel because of the leaks in the county-owned building’s roof.
Three of the four curling sheets were impacted, but competitors donned rain gear and local winners prevailed.
Winners were skipped by Jeff Douglass and in second place was another Picton team skipped by Rick Jones.
County staff have been tasked with reporting back to council with recommendations on the state of the roof.
“Obviously, with our events being interrupted in this manner, we are looking to council to find a way to bring their building up to spec,” says Richard Linnett, president of the Curling Club.
The club attended council last month to request the municipality to repair and maintain their building.
“We are just users of this county-owned building,” Linnett said. “Our lease specifically excludes the club from responsibility for normal wear and tear. Our current lease has four years to go. We hope we can extend the agreement, but would you put $100,000 into a building that someone else owns?”
Financially the curling club is on sound footing, Linnett said. “But like most not-for-profit organizations, we do not have a vast pot of cash stashed away for a rainy day, so for council to take the roof repair out of the budget and tell us to find the money ourselves is not viable. If, in two or three years we needed to commit to a project equivalent to the cost of the roof then we would be able to raise funds internally, seek grants from our national sports association that would cover the cost of that work.”
Although the curlers use the facility the most, they do not have exclusive access to the building. In its lease, council states occupancy does not apply when the Fair Board is using the building. The Women’s Institute also uses the building for its annual arts and crafts fair.
“In the short time that I have been a curling club member, the roof has always been an issue and in board minutes over the past 20-30 years I can find references to roof leaks,” Linnett said. “Replacement has been in the draft county budget many times, but never makes it through to actual implementation. All that has happened is that the county and curling club have repeatedly patched the roof.”
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How ridiculous that the county is not taking care of the building. Either fix it or close it.