(Submitted photo/Kerrie DeGooijer)

By Ben Tompkins

Half a century

Melfort Curling Club renamed, celebrates 50th anniversary

Sep 21, 2022 | 4:17 PM

The Melfort Curling Club recently held its 50th-anniversary celebration with a golf tournament, banquet, silent auction, and sponsorship donations.

For at least the next 10 years, however, it won’t be called the Melfort Curling Club, anymore.

Bourgault Industries gave $100,000 for 10 years of naming rights, as the rink is now called the Bourgault Curling Centre.

“We’re so thankful for their commitment to the sport and our clubs and our community,” said Kerrie DeGooijer, project chair.

Brandt also gave them $50,000, as the rink’s lounge is now the Brandt Last Rock Lounge, and Viterra gave $25,000 to rename the locker rooms.

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All of the funds will go toward the rink’s revitalization project, as they aim to raise a total of $1 million.

According to DeGooijer, they have raised a total of $317,000, so far.

“I think it instills a sense of pride and encourages us that we’re doing good things in the community. People support us, we’re a social and recreation hub for the area and this is when people see the value of that and we’re so appreciative of the support.”

Canalta Hotels also chipped in $20,000 and another 33 businesses, rural municipalities and individuals came forward with donations from $10,000 – $1,000.

“We wanted to bring the community together, raise the profile of the curling rink, but then also acknowledge some of the sponsors we had come forward over the course of the past eight months and I think we did a great job of that,” she added.

The festivities were put on by a large group of volunteers, which included businesses who donated, cooked, and prepped the meals.

DeGooijer explained she believes the support shown was somewhat tied to the local excitement generated for the sport and that it needs to continue.

“Curling is gaining popularity in our community, we’ve had quite a bit of interest in the sport, so the timing of the event was great. We have major capital upgrades we need to do to ensure we’re around for the future, so we acknowledged our path, but then looked forward to our future, as well.”

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter @BenTompkins_8