The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Dear Editor, I also am a concerned curler as well as an executive member of the Willowpark Curling Club who would appreciate an opportunity to make commentary on the drama that has been unfolding with respect to the Willowpark Curling Club and the future of curling in our community. There has been a lot of discussion about the factors to be considered in making a decision about repairing the Willowpark Curling Club and continuing to curl there or mothballing the club and amalgamating with the Uptown Curling Club. I am disheartened to know that much of the information that has been spread is false, misleading, and based on speculation and rumours. A recent letter in the paper quoted some figures with respect to the operating costs for the proposed Communityplex and the commitment of funds by the Willowpark executive to renovate the Uptown Curling Club. These conclusions were blatantly incorrect. I would encourage the author and anyone else who has questions to take the initiative to research the issues fully so that they may draw factual conclusions. Not to do so is grossly irresponsible. The accurate information is available and those who are truly interested in "the good and welfare of the club" and in curling as a whole need only seek it. It requires asking questions of those able to speak knowledgeably about it and being prepared to hear the answers with an open mind. It has been known for several years that the condition of the Willowpark Curling facility is deteriorating and that action would have to be taken to either repair it or pursue other options. The introduction of the Communityplex proposal has simply been a catalyst for the members to address this reality. There were several steps taken by the executive to ascertain if the membership was interested in pursuing the possibility of a Communityplex. Based on a positive response, we endeavored to be well informed about the project and to bring the information back to our members. See 'Initiative' P.# Con't from P.# Now we have been accused of being biased?! As an interest group, the curlers are very well informed about the project because their executive has taken the initiative to seek the information. Two opportunities have now passed for members to receive the information they need to make the best decision possible about the future of Willowpark. At the Annual General Meeting, the executive requested direction from the membership based on the information that was available and a motion was carried to vote on the issue under those circumstances. Every effort was made to give our members an opportunity to participate in the process and time to consider the information and ask any questions they needed to. A decision was made to amalgamate with the Uptown Curling Club and to mothball Willowpark for the 2004/2005 season. The executive proceeded to implement that mandate and to ensure that the Willowpark facility remained viable. The City of Flin Flon made a commitment to "not demolish the Willow Park Curling Facility until it has been determined by your membership that the facility is no longer required." Subsequently a petition was filed stating that the executive had failed to inform the members of the costs involved to repair the club, mothball it, and to pay for renovations to the locker rooms at the Uptown Curling Club. Interestingly, several of those who signed the petition to challenge the spring vote did not vote at that time and some didn't attend the annual meeting. Others perhaps signed because they had received false information. The executive responded at the Special General Meeting with an outline of the actions taken to ensure our members had been duly informed and provided accurate information with respect to the costs involved. Let's review. The cost to repair the Willowpark facility is estimated at $25,000, cost to mothball is estimated at $7,500, costs to renovate the lockers at the Uptown Curling Club is expected to be minimal as lockers from Creighton are available and need only to be installed. Also, there is an agreement to share the start-up costs and the profits with the Uptown Curling Club if an amalgamation proceeds. If Willowpark members desire equal privilege and benefits in a combined club should there not also be an equal contribution? Curling in one club also prevents the duplication of some operational costs. It is apparent that most members recognize that a new facility will be required to sustain curling in this community. How we accomplish this is the challenge before us. The decision curlers need to make is whether spending the money to repair Willowpark is the best use of our resources. If our resources are used to repair an aging facility, will we not have less to contribute to a new facility and will this not place an increased demand on the user fees in the future? The executive has been the subject of a considerable amount of criticism. They have been accused of influencing members to make a poor decision and not acting in the best interests of the club. We have appreciated from the beginning that this would be a difficult decision for our members to make and we have only tried to involve them and give them all the information possible. And let's remember that the executive holds 13 votes and can not make a decision independently. Do the members truly believe that the executive would carelessly disregard the contributions that have been made over the years to make Willowpark the great club that it is? It is a shame that the confidence of the membership in the executive they elected has been so easily eroded by rumor and inaccuracies. Those opposed to amalgamating say that they support the Communityplex and would curl there if/when it is in operation. However, they do not seem to want to make any sacrifices to accomplish this. Is it not the responsibility of community members to work towards developing opportunities in our community, not just reap the benefits when they are made available? It is my personal position that is not just a curling issue; it is bigger than the individual needs. It is about the growth and health of a community as a whole and to think otherwise is narrow minded. As an executive member, I would fulfill my responsibilities and respect the decision of the members. As an individual, I believe that in order for the generations to follow to have the opportunities that we have had, we must make some sacrifices and build a new legacy. I thank those who have taken the time to read my thoughts and to The Reminder for the opportunity to express them. Sincerely, Marlene Gogal
