The Quinte Rouge Paddling Club received a $14,500 Community Building Fund – Operating grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation recently.
Following a trying time navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, with this support, QRPC was able to keep programs running, with the grant assisting in the payment of ongoing costs such as rentals, computer software, salaries, and equipment.
“The Quinte Rouge Paddling Club promotes a healthy active lifestyle for people with a wide range of experience on the water through its dragon boat, kayak, canoe and paddleboard programming,” said Todd Smith, MPP for Bay of Quinte. “Support from our government through the Community Building Fund has stabled the waters and allowed it to look ahead confidently as it plans for competitive and recreational activities.”
QRPC Vice President Peter Kempenaar says, “This grant has given our non-profit club some breathing room. We can now focus our energies, expertise and resources on providing innovative programming for paddling sports in a safe environment, knowing we have the funding to help cover our essential expenses.”
In an effort to keep members engaged and attract new ones in the pandemic environment, programs pivoted. In-person workouts transitioned to virtual via Zoom in the safety of members’ homes. A learn-to-paddle program called “Get on the Water” was developed using solo watercrafts borrowed from members and run by volunteers. New paddlers tried kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddle boards, and outrigger canoes.
By spring of 2022, when it was safe to do so, dragon boating was back. And so were the members, new and old.
For more information on the Paddling Club and programming, please visit: www.quintepaddlingclub.com
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) mission is to build healthy and vibrant communities across Ontario. As an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations, last year, OTF invested nearly $209M into 2,042 community projects and partnerships, which included funding for the Government of Ontario’s Community Building Fund. Since 2020, OTF has supported Ontario’s economic recovery by helping non-profit organizations rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID-19.
