Community Building Fund Helps Revitalize Curling in Hamiltons Core
Editor: unknown
Date: 2022-08-09
Media Release: August 9, 2022
Community Building Fund Helps Revitalize Curling in Hamilton’s Core
Hamilton, ON – Throwing rocks at houses will usually end up with people having to pay money, but in this instance this normally heinous act can continue in a much more comfortable (and legal) way for the members of the Hamilton Victoria Curling Club. In 2021, the Hamilton Victoria Curling Club received a $50,000 grant from the Government of Ontario’s Community Building Fund – Operating stream. This funding, delivered by the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), has assisted the Club with rising utility costs and wages for their employees amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Andrea Horwath, former Member of Provincial Parliament for Hamilton Centre expressed: “I am very pleased to congratulate the Hamilton Victoria curling club on the receipt of the OTF’s Community Building Fund. The impacts of Covid on organized sports in our community were devastating, not only for players but also the organizations. The generous support of the OTF has ensured that operating costs are met, and curlers can return to their sheets. There is a long and inspired curling history in Hamilton and I am thrilled to see that tradition continue.”
The grant has helped the 155-year-old club pay for steep electricity costs arising from both the building’s age and the sheer amount of coolant power needed to maintain the ice. The funding has also been used to pay important employees of the club such as their ice maker who maintains the ice seasonally for all groups and members.
“The board of directors and the membership of the Hamilton Victoria Club would like to thank the Ontario Trillium Foundation for their generous support of our 2021-2022 season,” said club president Rob Reid. “Despite reduced membership due to pandemic concerns, with the support from OTF we were able to open our doors, provide recreation to our community and continue to pay our employees.”
The Hamilton Victoria Curling Club has been in Hamilton for 155 years. The club moved operations to its current facility in 1905 where it continues to this day. The club provides recreational and competitive curling programs for adults, youth, children, seniors and special Olympians. Anyone interested in participating in programs, including learn to curl clinics, can contact the club directly through their website: www.hamiltonvictoriaclub.com.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) mission is to build healthy and vibrant communities across Ontario. As an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations, last year, OTF invested nearly $209M into 2,042 community projects and partnerships, which included funding for the Government of Ontario’s Community Building Fund. Since 2020, OTF has supported Ontario’s economic recovery by helping non-profit organizations rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID-19. Visit otf.ca to learn more.