The pandemic has been hard on families, businesses and especially non-profit organizations as they still have bills to pay, but have no source of income.
This is exactly the case for the Lakehead Canoe Club.
They had to close two seasons ago as it wasn’t safe to operate, and since then they still have to pay rent, hydro and taxes, among other expenses.
Most of that income would normally come from memberships, program fees as well as hosting events or renting out equipment.
The Club is working hard to be able to re-open next year and have an action plan of priorities according to Commodore Volker Kromm:
1. The small remnant LCC executive has been called together for a planning meeting to regroup and recommit this month. Those wheels are turning. They will assess our options and identify our organizational needs;
2. Our next virtual AGM in early November, will appeal to members and potential partners to ratify our community vision and lay out funding strategies and to re-energize the network of paddlers;
3. Hold conversations with the City and corporate partners. We will need advice and financial support to get us back on track. We will start by paying down the pandemic debt;
4. Then, lay the foundation for the 2022 Paddlecamp Program (9 to 15 years of age): staffing, equipment, repairs, ….in coordination with the City;
5. Maintenance: secure funding for new lightweight accessible docking for lake access, building repairs; ….. a lengthy list
6. Motivate the senior paddlers and the corporate teams to re-launch a number of dragon boat festivals across the region. Let’s bring celebration back to Boulevard, even if it looks a little different. It is a brand new world; which I hope doesn’t exclude healthy recreation.
7. Restore our reputation as a regional centre of paddling excellence.
