$23,000 ONTARIO TRILLIUM GRANT FOR BAYSVILLE CURLING/BOCCE CLUB

BAYSVILLE, ON — The end of curling and beginning of bocce season sees good news for the Baysville Curling and Bocce Club.

Saturday MPP Graydon Smith met members at their AGM where he congratulated them on receiving a $23,100 grant from the province’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF).

Awarded in January it will help with website development and communications, creating teaching tools and purchasing training equipment. It also supports existing programs and maintains membership growth.

“And will hopefully open the doors to more participants in the community, president Ed Mathany says in a release today.

A good example, he said, is the Learn To Curl program, a six-session program for new curlers to learn about game strategy and etiquette, equipment, the rules, safety. And to experience on-ice instruction. Most new curlers love the program, Mathany said, and in the past year alone this resulted in a 12 per cent growth in curling membership.

Some of the money is also for an accessibility feasibility review of the 41-year-old building.

MPP Graydon Smith congratulated Baysville Curling and Bocce club members on their $23,100 Trillium grant at their AGM Saturday.

“I’m happy to see the amazing work of everyone at the Baysville Curling and Bocce Club. As we know, volunteers are the backbone of our communities and the way the members here offer their time for the betterment of the club is inspiring,” said Smith, the Parry Sound-Muskoka member of Provincial Parliament.

“We see tremendous interest in the curling and bocce programs, as well as the many social activities, offered by the club,” Mathany said. “Thanks to these grant monies the club can streamline the way we deliver our programs and continue to engage more people in the region. According to recent economic development studies, migration to the region is increasing, along with the average age. Whatever we can do to keep people engaged, learning, and moving, will support our community goals of physical and mental health and wellness.

“The curling season has just finished after several months of league play and five exciting club bonspiels. The bocce season begins soon and includes a 25 per cent increase in the number of players over the past two seasons.

“Community members are clearly enjoying the camaraderie and they feel welcomed and safe participating in sport and activities organized by the Club,” he added. “This volunteer-run not-for-profit club is really a big part of the social fabric of the Lake of Bays Township and we’re so pleased with our continued growth!”

For more on the Baysville Curling & Bocce Club call 705-349-0513 or email Mathany at [email protected]

Smith, Lake of Bays Mayor Terry Glover, OTF volunteer rep Gord Haugh, club president Ed Mathany and ONF director at large Suzanne David take a look at the curling club ice, which just went out.