The City of Moncton is giving Curl Moncton a $66,000 bailout so the club can pay its creditors and continue operating.
Curl Moncton will receive $66,000 from the City of Moncton to pay creditors and ensure the club remains operational. (Pierre Fournier/CBC News)
Council approved the funding Monday after discussing it privately last week. Coun. Daniel Bourgeois voted against the motion because it was a grant instead of a loan.
Sherril Minns, president of Curl Moncton’s board, said Tuesday that COVID-19 devastated the club’s finances as it faced paying off loans from a recent building expansion.
The club delayed its opening last fall because of the pandemic, then in February announced it would cut its season short.
“We realized we couldn’t afford to keep our doors open any longer,” Minns said. By closing and removing the ice, Minns said they shaved $9,000 in monthly expenses.
Minns said membership dropped by about 60 per cent. Corporate rentals stopped. The 30 to 50 special events per year, some featuring teams from across the province or other provinces, dropped to only one event because of COVID travel restrictions.
Minns said the tradeoff with closing meant they didn’t have revenue to cover bills and pay creditors. That’s why the group approached the city for help.
“It’s a huge relief and a huge benefit to Curl Moncton and we’re eternally grateful to the city of Moncton,” Minns said of the grants.
“It will allow us to open our doors this fall and go full steam ahead.”