The Valemount Curling Club held its Annual General Meeting last week, with many new faces volunteering to help fill the board.
The club has been granted tax exemption for 2014, and was awarded a grant from the Village of Valemount to cover part of the 2013 tax bill, but fund raising and cutting costs to cover the remaining bill of over $4000 was a major topic at the meeting. Jamie Black, new secretary for the board, offered to donate a pay-and-talk phone if that would be acceptable for insurance purposes, so that the phone bill of $105.74 monthly could be saved. Also, with expected increases in BC Hydro rates, the club needs to consider ways to conserve power, and will look for grant funding to help modernize the ice plant and upgrade the rink’s lighting. Current hydro bills for the club during the winter average between $1500 and $1800 for each two month bill.
The first major fund raiser of the season will be the traditional Halloween dance. The club plans to meet again on October 1 to set the date for the dance and discuss waiting until later in the fall to start the ice plant, as the colder weather may decrease start-up costs for the ice plant. They hope to keep the ice in at least until after the school break, possibly until early April.
Club memberships will remain at $100 for adults for the season, $10 for drop in, and $30 for junior curlers will cover the junior program as well as the year’s membership dues.
Diana Smith will continue as President and Bar Chair, with Rod Saul continuing as vice-president. The board is still looking for Members at large to help with planning and decision making and anyone interested can show up at the next meeting at the club.
