The City of Charlottetown is spending $25,000 to try and keep the sport of curling alive in the capital.
City council voted 6-2 Tuesday night in favour of authorizing a one-time grant in that amount for the Charlottetown Curling Complex.
Following council’s regular public monthly meeting, Mayor Clifford Lee told The Guardian that the club is struggling to pay off debt.
The volunteer board that runs the private business came to the city about a year ago asking for help.
“I don’t think it’s any surprise that the curling club is struggling financially,’’ Lee said. “My understanding from meetings is that the club (volunteer board) has reorganized and is very confident that they can move forward and sustain the operation going into the future.’’
Councillors Melissa Hilton and Jason Coady voted against the resolution. Coun. Eddie Rice and Deputy Mayor Mike Duffy were not present for the vote.
Hilton, who also serves as chairwoman of the city’s finance committee, said she can’t support spending money to prop up a private business.
Hilton said the city has, in the past, supported programs like Little Rockers for young curlers “but this is a private club’’.
Coun. Bob Doiron, who seconded the resolution, said the curling club has been around for generations and is a vital part of the community.
The curling club has been in existence since 1887.
“We have to reach out and help people,’’ Doiron said.
Coun. Mitchell Tweel spoke about the club’s rich history and how national and international championships captured by teams have been a positive influence on the city.
Lee said the club was asking for a lot more than $25,000 but said he couldn’t remember what the amount was.
“They have substantial debts that they need to clear off their books,’’ the mayor said, noting that they city helps subsidize a number of hockey, baseball, basketball programs and operates sports facilities but “hasn’t typically spent one cent’’ on curling.
He said if the club doesn’t get a hold on its financial issues, the cost would be far greater.
Lee also talked about the sport’s popularity among the senior population, noting that if the city can operate a facility for lawn bowling it can give the board than runs a private curling club a bit of money.
“The bottom line is if the Charlottetown Curling (Complex) does not find a way to exist within our city then ultimately I think it will cost the taxpayers of Charlottetown a lot more money to develop a curling program (and) provide the facilities.’’
The Charlottetown Curling Complex is the only curling club in the city. The Belvedere Golf Course ceased its curling operation in 1997.
Lee said he isn’t worried that other private businesses will come looking for handouts.
“I’m not aware of any other organization out there that provides recreational activities to the larger community that we aren’t subsidizing now.’’
The mayor said $25,000 is a wise investment, given the alternative.
The City of Charlottetown is spending $25,000 to try and keep the sport of curling alive in the capital.
City council voted 6-2 Tuesday night in favour of authorizing a one-time grant in that amount for the Charlottetown Curling Complex.
Following council’s regular public monthly meeting, Mayor Clifford Lee told The Guardian that the club is struggling to pay off debt.
The volunteer board that runs the private business came to the city about a year ago asking for help.
“I don’t think it’s any surprise that the curling club is struggling financially,’’ Lee said. “My understanding from meetings is that the club (volunteer board) has reorganized and is very confident that they can move forward and sustain the operation going into the future.’’
Councillors Melissa Hilton and Jason Coady voted against the resolution. Coun. Eddie Rice and Deputy Mayor Mike Duffy were not present for the vote.
Hilton, who also serves as chairwoman of the city’s finance committee, said she can’t support spending money to prop up a private business.
Hilton said the city has, in the past, supported programs like Little Rockers for young curlers “but this is a private club’’.
Coun. Bob Doiron, who seconded the resolution, said the curling club has been around for generations and is a vital part of the community.
The curling club has been in existence since 1887.
“We have to reach out and help people,’’ Doiron said.
Coun. Mitchell Tweel spoke about the club’s rich history and how national and international championships captured by teams have been a positive influence on the city.
Lee said the club was asking for a lot more than $25,000 but said he couldn’t remember what the amount was.
“They have substantial debts that they need to clear off their books,’’ the mayor said, noting that they city helps subsidize a number of hockey, baseball, basketball programs and operates sports facilities but “hasn’t typically spent one cent’’ on curling.
He said if the club doesn’t get a hold on its financial issues, the cost would be far greater.
Lee also talked about the sport’s popularity among the senior population, noting that if the city can operate a facility for lawn bowling it can give the board than runs a private curling club a bit of money.
“The bottom line is if the Charlottetown Curling (Complex) does not find a way to exist within our city then ultimately I think it will cost the taxpayers of Charlottetown a lot more money to develop a curling program (and) provide the facilities.’’
The Charlottetown Curling Complex is the only curling club in the city. The Belvedere Golf Course ceased its curling operation in 1997.
Lee said he isn’t worried that other private businesses will come looking for handouts.
“I’m not aware of any other organization out there that provides recreational activities to the larger community that we aren’t subsidizing now.’’
The mayor said $25,000 is a wise investment, given the alternative.
