(by Jillian Trainor)
Arenas and curling clubs still have to pay their bills, despite having no revenue coming in since mid-January.
“We still have to pay our heat, and lights, and insurance, and taxes, those bills all have to be paid regardless of whether we’re open or closed, and you have no way of raising money when you’re closed,” said Audrey Callaghan, of the Western Community Curling Club in Alberton. “You can’t have a fundraiser, you can’t have any tournaments, you can’t have any way to raise money, but you still have to pay your bills somehow.”
The Western Community Curling Club is one of the organizations taking advantage of increased funding for rinks and curling clubs in the province. Initially, the provincial government offered a $2,500 grant to help during the most recent period of closures, but that funding has since been increased to $15,000 for arenas, and $7,500 for curling clubs. Jillian Trainor photo
The closures were a result of stricter regulations resulting from increased cases of COVID-19 in the province. Early in January, the provincial government announced a $2,500 grant to help get through this period of closure, but that funding has since been increased to $15,000 for arenas, and $7,500 for curling clubs.
While curling clubs won’t be receiving as much as arenas, Ms. Callaghan said she appreciates the assistance given by the province.
“It certainly goes a long way to helping us stay afloat,” she said. “It means if we open, it would help us stay open (for the rest of the season). It helps us to pay our bills when we’re not making any money.”
Click for full story in the West Prince Graphic at PEICanada.com: https://www.peicanada.com/west_prince_graphic/increased-funding-for-arenas-curling-clubs-could-reduce-impact-of-lost-revenue/article_12f713bc-8387-11ec-96d8-333aa17e896f.html