Support from local government pours into ruined curling club

BY NADINE ARMSTRONG

The Hants Journal

NovaNewsNow.com

The day after the fire that destroyed the Windsor Curling Club, president Ray Winkelaar said offers of help and support were made by the provincial and federal governments.

Porter: “It's a great blow to town”

Hants West MLA Chuck Porter met with Winkelaar the morning after the fire to investigate potential construction of a new curling facility through funding from the Health Promotion and Protection Department. The Building Facility Infrastructure program from the Dept. of Health works to support the construction of recreation facilities costing over $450,000. “That what I've offered up to them,” Porter said. “I will assist Mr. Winkelaar and his executive in putting together an application for funding when they’re ready to take that step. We are here to support him in anyway we can.”

Porter also took a moment to salute the volunteer firefighters involved in battling the blaze. “They showed once again they’re the backbone of our communities.”

Porter said his office had contacted the Central Regional Office of the Department of the Environment to ask about air quality since the fire and was assured by Acting District Manager Don Feldman there were no concerns.

As well, some of what has been lost may never be replaced, Porter said. “It’s devastating to lose such a historical site and all the great club memorabilia. It's a great blow to the town.”

Brison: “Devastating loss”

Kings-Hants MP Scott Brison telephoned Winkelaar the night of the fire to offer his assistance with any fundraising efforts to rebuild the facility after it was destroyed by fire that afternoon. “This is an enormous loss for the Town of Windsor and the Municipality of West Hants, and it is particularly sad given that the club was due to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2008," Brison said. "Windsor has a long and proud curling history and I know the curling community will be intent on seeing the sport rise from these ashes. I will assist in whatever way I can, whether it’s to help secure federal funding assistance through the Strategic Community Investment Fund or helping with local community fundraising," he said.

Brison acknowledged also that Windsor has a proud curling tradition which he said includes many success stories such as local Nancy Delahunt, who went on the compete internationally on the Colleen Jones team. “The club will rise again from this devastating loss," he said.

Allen: “We won’t be without one”

Windsor Mayor Anna Allen stated first and foremost her admiration for the volunteer firefighters who, she said, “reacted quickly to a situation that could have been much worse.”

Allen was a former member and soon-to-be new member of the Windsor Curling Club. She said many strong friendships were formed during her time there and “I know the dedication of this club. They’ve put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into making a top-notch facility here in Windsor.”

However, she was confident the club would stand again proudly. “We won’t be without one, that’s for sure,” she said.