BARRHEAD- Several Barrhead-area not-for-profit organizations received an early Christmas present, receiving over $1.5 million in donations from the remnants of the Camp Creek Community Hall Association.
The former association, which disbanded about two and a half years ago, gave the donations to 15 organizations and individuals during a short March 19 ceremony at the Barrhead Leader office.
David Bain, president of the group of the now-defunct association, said the funds came from the proceeds of the sale of the approximately two-acre Camp Creek Community Hall property to Pembina Pipelines for $1.5 million.
"The groups knew they would be getting a donation, but we did not tell them how much. We wanted it to be a surprise, he said. "I think everyone is pretty happy with the surprise."
The donations ranged from $10,000 given to Barrhead national Canadian Women's Sitting Volleyball member and three-time Paralympian Heidi Peters and Barrhead bobsledder and two-time Olympian Melissa Lotholz to four $296,673 donations to the Barrhead and Fort Assiniboine Agricultural societies, Barrhead Continuing Care, and Misty Ridge Ski Hill Society. Other groups receiving donations were Blue Heron Bowl at $20,000, the Neerlandia Sports Committee, Barr-North Veterinary Services animal rescue fund, Barrhead Animal Rescue Society, and the Barrhead Regional Fire Services at $25,000 each. The Jean Proft Memorial Fund and Amber's Hope Maternity Home also received $50,000, while the Fort Assiniboine Fire Department and the Barrhead Cancer Centre received $75,000 and $150,000, respectively.
Bain said the association decided to sell the community hall and surrounding property about two and a half years ago.
"The hall was getting old, and it wasn't getting used very much. So when Pembina Pipeline approached us, saying they needed the property for a project they were working on, it seemed like a perfect chance for us to get out," he said.
Initially, they asked the County of Barrhead to hold the money trust in an interest-bearing account for two years in hopes of partnering with the municipality with a project to enhance recreation.
However, Bain said that after the municipality had completed its Community Hall Strategy, the result was not a project the association could get behind.
So he said, in early February, the remaining 10-person community hall board to discuss how they should disperse the bulk of the funds. The association held back some of the funds for a potential memorial to mark the former existence of the hall.
"We got together and started writing down groups and individuals we thought we might donate to," Bain said, adding at the end of the process, they had a list of about 30 organizations. "About two weeks ago, we narrowed down the list and made our final decision."
After the presentation, Melissa Lotholz told the association members that the timing of their gift was perfect.
Lotholz arrived in Barrhead, returning from the Bobsleigh World Championships just in time to accept the cheque from the association.
"It means so much, and it comes at a good time," she told Bain, adding that she estimates that to compete at the recent World Championships in Lake Placid, New York, she spent $10,000 out of her own pocket. "Now I'm even, and I will be able to buy some new equipment I had been planning to get to prepare for next season [and potentially the Olympics] that will help me be more competitive."
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
