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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2005-12-07, Page 7:.iNtWWY.2.•+Y.Ko News Seaforth Curling Club gets $24,800 grant from Trillium Foundation Susan Hundertmark The Seaforth Curling Club will be buying a new ice scraper and reno- vating its building after receiving a $24,800 grant from the Trillium Foundation. "It's a huge boost for the club and in turn for the community," says past president Tom Devereaux. Renovations planned include new carpeting in the club, new linoleum in the kitchen and bathrooms, new bathroom fixtures in the three bathrooms, new windows in the entranceway and a fresh coat of paint in the clubhouse. "It's very exciting for us. It will create a brighter, more modern facility," says Devereaux. A new $9,000 ice scraper will replace what Devereaux describes as an "antique" scraper, an impor- tant piece of equipment which peels the top layer of ice in preparation for curling. "We can't get parts for the one we have," adds Connie Trotter, junior curling chair. President Don McKercher says the new scraper will be more user- friendly, allowing more volunteers to help with the ice preparation. "We'll have more consistent ice and better and fairer com- petition. You can't blame the ice for a bad game now," adds Devereaux. The curling club executive is hoping that the facelift for the hall will encourage more people to give curling a try and pos- sibly boost membership. But, even before the work begins, Devereaux says membership has been increas- ing this year, with anywhere from eight to 11 new curlers in the men's league, the co-ed night and junior curlers. "We want to increase usage of the hall and help the physical fitness level in the area," he says. The membership includes about 90 in total, including adults and junior curlers. The hall, which seats 50-70 peo- ple, is rented for family birthday and anniversary parties, small busi- `It will create a brighter, more modern facility,' -- Tom Devereaux The Huron Expositor • December 7, 2005 Page 7 ness parties and bonspiels. "We don't want people to think they have to be members to rent the hall," says Trotter. While the grant will cover the major renovations, the painting of both the interior and exterior will be funded by the curling club and done by member volunteers. Devereaux says the 125 -year-old club is being rejuvenated by the funding. As one of the oldest curling clubs in Ontario, Seaforth's curling club began on local ponds and rivers, moved to a cov- ered outdoor rink downtown where Artech Signs is now located, moved into the old Seaforth arena and finally built its own building - using an old horse shed from Brucefield United Church - in 1955. Seaforth's new doctors are town's best recruitment tool, says advisory committee Susan Hundertmark Enthusiastic new recruits to the Seaforth Medical Centre are the town's. best recruit- ment tool for more doctors, said members of Seaforth's Local Advisory Committee (LAC) at a recent meeting. At a quarterly meeting between the Seaforth LAC to the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance and the municipality of Huron East, the LAC sang the praises of a recent recruit- ment gala in Stratford. LAC vice -chair Sheila Morton said both Dr. Jason Datema and Dr. Helen Frye - who both began a practice at the Seaforth Medical Centre within the last six months - were invaluable at the recruitment weekend. "The main question was, 'Why did you choose Seaforth?' and Dr. Datema was very complimentary about the setup at the clinic and the hospital. He was marvellous," said Morton. She said Dr. Frye also praised the large campus at the Seaforth hospital, including the Community Care Access Centre and the helicopter pad. "It was good to have someone new encourag- ing other doctors," she said. Seaforth hospital site administrator Mary Cardinal said word of mouth between doctors and a warm welcome are two of the biggest influences m recruitment. "It comes down to how welcome people feel and this is a welcoming community," she said. Morton added that feeling welcome was the deciding factor for Dr. Datema. "He told me he did not originally intend to settle in this area. But, he came as a locum and everyone made everything so great for him he decided to stay," she said. Dick Burgess, a Seaforth representative on the Alliance board, said he thought the set-up at the medical centre also made Seaforth attractive to doctors. "The business model of a community -owned health centre is unique and I will put it up against any other in the province for cost- effectiveness for physicians," he said. Burgess added that the ability of young doc- tors to try out the community as a locum is also beneficial. "Because we're not locking them in, we can attract them," he said. He reiterated that doctors are the communi- ty's best recruiting tool. "We could hire a $100,000 consultant and they wouldn't be as effective as a Dr. Datema," he said. H. REID ALLEN 1 1 R\lilt RI; Ri•:STOR:\TIO\ I;IFI\ISIII\(� SEAFORTH 527-2717 The holiday season is building and that means it's time to , share Special Christmas wishes 3i1ursday, ber 15 is the to be included in Our Annual Greetings Edition, published on tuber 21, 2005. Call Bernie or Tom today, The Huron County Federation of Agriculture is hosting an ALL CANDIDATE MEETING for the upcoming federal election on Thursday, Dec. 15, at 8 pm at Goderich Township Hall, Holmesville The candidates will be answering an array of written questions developed by a panel of Federation Directors with input from the audience. Audience members will also have an opportunity to ask questions. Everyone Welcome!! Mark your calendars. ace ervices available a 15 Goderlch St. (Hwy. 8) SEAFORTH 527-0505 Licensed for Sheet Metal, Refrigeration, Gas & Plumbing