Ken Garret Park needs your bottles

Aug 08, 2018

The Inverary Youth Activities Group, which runs Ken Garrett Park in Inverary, has run into an unexpected financial snag this year, and is hoping to cover a shortfall through a fundraising drive.

Registration fees, earnings from the canteen, and sponsorship revenue usually cover the annual maintenance costs to run the park. But there are a number of one time capital costs that have come up this year, including the need for a new fridge, fencing costs, repair of field nets and new foul ball nets. But the largest costs was for a replacement mowing machine.

“With ten acres to maintain, and a mower that could no longer be counted on, we had to look for a new one. We got a good deal on one, but it still has created a shortfall,” said Judy Borovski, of the committee.

The park is seeking the public support to help cover the shortfall. So, during ball tournaments at the park on August 18 and 25, there will be a bottle drive. Members of the public are invited to bring beer, wine, and liquor bottles and cans to the canteen, where volunteers will be on hand to collect them. Proceeds from returning the containers to the Beer Store for rebate will all be donated to Youth Activities Group.

For those who are unable to attend the tournaments, there is a trailer set up for bottle and can drop off, at 3950 Round Lake Road. It will stay up until the end of August. Organizers of the drive are hoping to be able to make and announcement about further sponsorship which could make donations of bottles more beneficial to the local community who have supported the park over the years.

“For now, all we can say is every little bit helps,” said Borovski.