$3,000 raised at double header rink fundraiser

Julie Druker | Nov 25, 2015

Two back-to-back fundraising events in Sharbot Lake on November 21 were organized by members of the District 3 recreation committee and raised $3,000 for the Sharbot Lake rink project. The first event was an open mic fundraiser that took place at the Sharbot Lake Legion in the afternoon, and later that evening a dance was held at Oso hall featuring three bands, Franny and Beeb'z Breezeway Pickers, Greatest of Ease, and Plan B. The latter event was attended by over 100 people, who danced the night away to the sounds of old country, rock 'n roll and the blues. The Oso hall event included a silent auction with numerous items donated by individuals and businesses from the local community. The $10 ticket included a full buffet that was served at 10pm.

To date the Oso Recreation Committee has raised $10,000 for the rink project, which they estimate could cost $200,000. The project's organizers have secured a site for the rink that will be located at the Oliver Scott Memorial Park near the Granite Ridge Education Centre. A geo-technical survey has been done and that report is currently being reviewed by the project team.

Local surveyor Tom MacDonald will also be surveying the site sometime this week. The next steps for the project include hiring an engineer to draw up the design, after which time it will be determined which aspects of the project can be carried out by skilled local volunteers.

I spoke to Lesley Merrigan one of the organizers of the project who said that she is hoping that local skilled trades people who support the project and who plan to use the rink will help out by volunteering their time and know how to work on the project. Merrigan also said that there are plans to hold a town hall meeting sometime in the near future to inform the community about the project with the hopes of attracting local businesses who may want to sponsor it. Similarly, the team is looking at possible grant funding from various sources.

In the meantime the District 3 Recreation committee will be fundraising through the winter months. Merrigan said that she has been speaking with Paul Hogan of Wolfe Island, who was involved in a similar project there that has been successfully completed. Anyone wanting to get involved in any way with the District 3 Recreation Committee's Sharbot Lake Rink project can contact Lesley Merrigan at 613-483-1839 or Dave Willis at 613-279-2844.