Heather Wright/The Independent

The Forest Curling Club will be getting $112,000 from Lambton Shores. But whether it gets a loan to help kick-start the renovation project at the arena has yet to be seen.

The arena needs to replace its ice making plant. The plan is to build it on a fenced, concrete pad outside of the rink. The club says it will cost about $415,000.

It’s asking Lambton Shores to provide $112,000 from the Community Vibrancy Fund – money the
municipality receives from wind developers each year.

Officials told council in September, the grant from the municipality is vital to getting the project off the ground.

Oct. 7, council considered the grant and the proposal for a loan for $50,000. Council approved the Vibrancy Grant, but made no decision about the loan.

Councillor Jeff Wilcox doesn’t “feel comfortable having the taxpayers of Lambton Shores, through our government be the fundraiser.” He suggested the club needed to get out and “hustle those people” to get the cash.

But Councillor Ronn E Dodge pointed out the building belongs to the municipality and the club, which rents the space, has a good record of improving it.

“I have a trust factor in this organization, because I’ve watched it for 50 years, and they’ve always been expanding and successful,” he said. Councillor Scott Ferguson added; “ The curling club, the Legion has done projects, and the community has always come through with money. So this discussion on $50,000 is probably not even going to be necessary, really, because we got a great community. It’s always come through with funding.”

It’s not clear when council might decide on a loan for the club, however the club says it does have a plan to approach service clubs areas like Petrolia and Plympton-Wyoming, where it has members.