The future of the Petrie Island Canoe Club is in jeopardy thanks to an going financial burden that’s tied to a boathouse that has yet to be completed. In 2023, the canoe club made plans to replace a storage shed with a two-storey boathouse. The original cost estimate was $829,000.
After the club successfully applied for a Canadian Community Revitalization Grant in the amount of $609,000, the remaining $220,000 was largely covered by local city councillors Matt Luloff, Laura Dudas and Catherine Kitts who contributed $50,000 each, while the club was responsible for raising the remaining $70,000.
But somewhere along the way the cost of design and construction nearly doubled to $1.45 million, and without the second level. The club has had to finance the additional $621,000, plus its initial commitment of $70,000, on its own.
To service the debt costs about $60,000 a year, leaving little money to cover other operating costs, such as $5,000 in property taxes.
The financial issues came to a head this past summer when the club ran out of money midway through the season and couldn’t afford to pay it’s staff.
The club commodore Sarah Kennedy was able to pay the staff out of her own savings, but the key problem was unresolved.
The club reached out to Orléans East-Cumberland councillor Matt Luloff in early September, who in turn has been meeting with city staff to try and resolve the club’s financial issues.
One possible solution is for the city to buy the boathouse from the club which would, in turn, rent it back in a leasing arrangement.
While negotiations with the city are on-going, the club has launched a GoFundMe campaign with the goal of raising $78,000 to cover the club’s costs for one year.
They also have a self-imposed deadline to raise the money by Nov. 1.
The Heart of Orléans BIA has now gotten involved and is encouraging its members to join in an initiative aimed at matching any funds the GoFundMe campaign manages to raise.
As of noon Friday, Oct. 9, nearly $20,000 had been raised since Sept. 14.
INDIGENOUS VETERANS COMMEMORATION 11 a.m. at the Orléans Legion Cenotaph, 800 Taylor Creek Dr. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will take place indoors at the Legion.
TRIVIA NIGHT from 7:30 p.m. every Monday night at the Royal Oak Pub Orléans. Free to play. Prizes for the winning team! The Royal Oak Pub is located at 1981 St. Joseph Blvd. near Jeanne d’Arc. For more info visit 
TRIVIA NIGHT from 6:30 p.m. at the Stray Dog Brewing Company. Exercise your grey matter before it turns to mush over the holidays. Reservations are a must to secure your spot. Send your team name and number of people to info@straydogbrewing.ca. The Stray Dog Brewing Company is located at 501 Lacolle Way in the Taylor Creek Business Park.
