An Ontario Trillium Foundation grant has helped the Prince Edward Curling Club sweep up some much needed infrastructure improvements in time for the start of the 2020-21 curling season.

The club recently completed a project to install a new refrigeration system in the curling club thanks to an $81,000 Capital grant it received from the
OTF last fall.

Bay of Quinte MPP Todd Smith. (Jason Parks/Gazette Staff)

“With the support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the Prince Edward Curling Club has upgraded on its end-of-life original floor and refrigeration system to give curlers more ends and
their club new life,” said Todd Smith, MPP for Bay of Quinte. “This $81,000 grant hits the button to deliver healthy, active recreation now and for future generations.”

Funds from the grant were used to buy and install a 40-ton cooling chiller, a roof top condenser unit and a brine circulating pump. With the addition of this cooling system, it will help the building operate on a more energy efficient way.

Along with the new refrigeration system, the project that the Club has been working on also included updates to the mechanical room including new doors, steel siding, insulation, flooring and electrical upgrades too.

“This Ontario Trillium Foundation Grant has enabled us to complete a project vital to the life of any curling club; the ability to make quality curling ice,” said Ron Stakes, President of the Prince Edward Curling Club. “This project, combined with the installation of the new refrigerated floor in 2018 will reduce our energy consumption and allow us to continue to reinvest the savings to improve the facility.”

The Prince Edward Curling Club is an accessible facility that provides access to the sport of curling for the residents of Prince Edward County through introductory programs, structured leagues and bonspiels, elementary and secondary school programs and by hosting Ontario Curling Association events up to the Provincial Championship level.

In the off season, the building hosts numerous festivals and shows including the Annual Women’s Institute Craft Show, the Picton Fair and the Annual Antique show and Sale. For information on curling programs or facility rentals please visit www.pecurling.com.

The Club will start our regular leagues this coming Monday, Nov 2nd and be operating with all appropriate COVID precautions in place.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations. OTF awarded $115 million to 644 projects last year to
build healthy and vibrant communities in Ontario.

For more information, please visit: www.otf.ca

-Staff