Carleton Place Canoe Club pleased to receive major Trillium Foundation grant
Posted Jul 29, 2010 By Jeff Maguire
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Tweet ThisEMC Sports - The Carleton Place Canoe Club (CPCC) received a substantial financial boost last week when it was announced they are the recipient of a large grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF).
The $74,900 donation will be used mainly to purchase much needed equipment for the canoe and kayak organization. The CPCC is the oldest flatwater canoe club in Canada with a history that dates back to 1893.
"I am delighted to inform you that the Ontario Trillium Foundation has approved a grant for your organization," says Helen Burstyn, chair of the OTF board, in a letter to Jim Hicks, commodore of the local club.
Hicks is thrilled with the financial injection which he says will allow the club to replace outdated equipment and expand its inventory.
"We're very excited. When I heard this I felt like doing a dance on the spot," an obviously pleased Hicks told the EMC Friday.
The Trillium donation will be formally acknowledged during an upcoming event at the organization's clubhouse located in Riverside Park. The adjacent Mississippi River course is widely acknowledged as one of the best natural canoe and kayak venues in the country.
Registration at the CPCC has increased steadily in recent years and the money will help the club purchase equipment which is needed to meet ever increasing demand.
"We are talking about high end equipment - specialized equipment. It is expensive to purchase," the commodore states.
"Because we supply the majority of the equipment ourselves it is a major financial undertaking for the club.
"But we need it (gear) in order to progress in the sport. This will help us address a broad spectrum of our inventory."
Hicks has words of praise for the entire CPCC executive who he calls "a very talented group of people."
He particularly acknowledges the contributions of Cathie McOrmond, the club's vice-commodore and financial coordinator, Mike Black, director of marketing and communications and Ryan Blair, the club's second year head coach.
"Cathie and Mike do an excellent job at the executive level and Ryan has been a wonderful addition to the club.
"We have such good people on the board and we have a really good time too. I can't believe it (organization) is this happy," Hicks chuckles.
The commodore emphasizes all financial contributions are important for the club, explaining that unlike many amateur sports organizations the CPCC pays its coaches.
"Most sports depend on volunteer time. These aren't volunteers we're talking about - they are paid professionals.
"It takes a particular skill set and these people are not easy to come by."
GOOD RESULTS
He says since Blair arrived on the scene last year the club has been moving forward at a very positive rate with increased enrolment and good results on the water during the paddling season.
Last year the Carleton Place club captured the Eastern Ontario Division (EOD) season championship, something Blair recently told the EMC "we are aiming to do again this year."
So far so good! CPCC finished first by a considerable distance at the inaugural EOD Bantam regatta held in Gananoque July 10. They bested the Rideau Canoe Club of Ottawa by more than 100 points to win the event "burgee" (pennant).
On Saturday, July 17 Carleton Place hosted the second Bantam (for paddlers age 13 and under) regatta in the district. Despite being hampered by strong winds, which forced officials to shorten the course and cancel some races completely, CPCC placed a strong second. They finished just six points behind arch rival Rideau, despite the fact the dynamics were changed considerably due to the weather conditions the day of the event.
"Things are going very well. We've been very successful," Hicks observes.
As for the Trillium Foundation money he reiterates the nearly $75,000 grant will be a major boost for the organization.
Details of the Trillium allocation to the local canoe club shows $42,200 is earmarked to purchase kayaks, while $11,800 will be used to buy new canoes. An additional $7,000 will go toward the purchase of paddles (a single paddle can cost as much as $500).
In addition $9,100 will be used to underwrite the club's considerable transportation costs. It is expensive to haul equipment and transport participants to events across the province, McOrmond explains.
A total of $4,800 of the grant monies will go toward other equipment costs including the purchase of more life jackets for young competitors.
The Trillium Foundation is an agency of the Ontario government, falling under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture. Created in 1982, it is now one of the country's foremost grant making foundations. Trillium considers applications from thousands of not-for-profit and charitable organizations annually in the areas of arts and culture, the environment, human and social services along with sports and recreation. Community grants account for 80 per cent of the organization's successful funding applications.
For complete information on the Trillium Foundation and its work visit the website: www.trilliumfoundation.org.
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