The announcement came out on CBC news during the summer of 2017, and it was bad: Sudbury’s Copper Cliff Curling Club was closing, forced out of operation by increased hydro rates, an uncertifiable chiller and reduced membership.
And that might have been the end of it, except it wasn’t.
“Members who read this began rallying,” says Sandra Lahti, the current president of the club that wouldn’t give up.
A week later, the outgoing board called a meeting. But with the future looking bleak, no strategic plan in place and reluctance among members to close the doors and amalgamate with the Sudbury Curling Club, it was time to get everyone on board to right the ship – together.
A new executive, including some members of the previous board, got to work, raising $4000 in a yard sale fundraiser to kick things off.
League convenors were contacted to get the word out to their curlers for support. A new Adult Learn To Curl instructor, Joanna Smorhay, helped with marketing on social media, and club member Dustin Montpellier – competitive curler and accountant – offered to keep the books, at no charge.
This was just the start of a huge volunteer-driven campaign to get the club back on track.
“We cut expenses dramatically,” Lahti says, and that included wages, utilities and unnecessary expenditures. “John (Kelly, the club treasurer) and Dustin reviewed every expense, no matter how small.”
The only paid staff at the club now is the head ice technician. To keep costs under control, volunteer groups have taken over bartending, socials, ice maintenance in support of the head technician and cleaning around the club.
But the most significant improvement to the operation was how much membership has increased, thanks to efforts to get people through the door, either for Adult Learn To Curl and other leagues, or for non-curling events, such as a monthly “craft social”.
Innovative business ideas are helping, too.
“We have developed a lease agreement with a local couple who owns a chip stand in the summer and we are now their full-fledged restaurant,” says Lahti. “They are assisting us with upgrades to the kitchen to meet safety standards. (Board member) Gary Macdonald arranged with some local businesses to assist with reduced costs of carpet, paint and other maintenance needs, and volunteers spent weeks painting and installing new carpet to freshen up the club which has instantly increased our rental numbers for the lounge.”
This volunteer-based approach is working, much to the delight of Northern Ontario Curling Association (NOCA) President, Michael Szajewski.
“The Northern Ontario Curling Association is extremely excited by the success of the volunteers at the Copper Cliff Curling Club,” says Szajewski. “This dedicated group grabbed the bull by the horns and worked diligently with suppliers, contractors, and government agencies to ensure that the club could stay afloat last season. Their efforts are benefiting not only their members and the broader community but the entire Northern Ontario Curling Association.”
NOCA’s Executive Director Leslie Kerr agrees, and praises the tools Copper Cliff used to help navigate the tough times and come out on top.
“The (Copper Cliff) board sought the assistance of NOCA and Curling Canada, through the Business of Curling program, and utilized many of the tools and suggestions provided,” says Kerr. “Social media became their focal communication means and the benefits are showing with their increased membership, the number of new curlers at the club, and the new activities taking place. The club looks clean and bright with an updated kitchen, so they are off to a great start to another successful curling season. Well done!”
The Copper Cliff Curling Club is back on its feet, and the future looks bright, but Lahti knows the work isn’t finished.
“We all agreed when elected that this would take at least three to five years to obtain stability,” she says. “Yes, we got ourselves in the black in Year 1, but to be honest, we know that doesn’t solve or create long-term sustainability. Just as quickly we could fall with an unexpected mechanical breakdown or something.”
There’s no doubt this executive and its strong volunteer base are committed to business success, but Lahti is quick to point out another success, perhaps even more significant than financial stability.
“Although exhausting and at some times very trying, it has also been very rewarding for all of us,” she says. “Members who once didn’t know each other are now fast friends with a common goal.”
That common goal is keeping the Copper Cliff Curling Club rolling – and it is, thanks to the hard work of its committed volunteers.
