Donald Teuma-Castelletti
MANSFIELD ET PONTEFRACT
Aug. 25, 2018
The arena in Fort Coulonge was the centre of attention at a golf tournament on Saturday, as fundraising continues for further fun opportunities at the co-op run rink.
Seventeen teams competed at Pontefract Golf Club in support of the Draveurs Leisure Centre, as the arena prepares to host the upcoming Pontiac Senior Comets hockey team and looks to add more activities to its offerings.
“This fundraiser is to continue to better the establishment,” said tournament organizer Gaétan Graveline.
Graveline explained that because the arena is run by a group of volunteers – and is not owned by any one municipality – it relies heavily on the community’s support. For everything from renovations to new equipment, the building succeeds from the various activities that it hosts, such as the Pontiac Cup.
As the arena prepares to become the home of the Pontiac Senior Comets, various upgrades have been necessary. Luckily, Home Hardware in Fort Coulonge stepped up to redo the dressing room specifically for the team, but there are still other portions of the arena that need work.
Graveline pointed to the boards as one example, as they’re rotten and falling apart as the wood weakens. Altogether, there is 34 ft. of boards that need to be replaced.
The rec centre has already upgraded their bay windows to be in accordance with league standards.
As well as preparing for the new hockey team, the arena is also looking to expand upon the activities offered to Pontiac residents. Graveline said the new sport that they’d like to add to their roster is curling, as it would help round out the goal of appealing to all local demographics.
In total, the tournament raised $4,820 for the rec complex, with the evening’s big winners including Elie Belair, who took home the $500 prize, and Adrienne Ellis, who nabbed $300. There were no winners of the $14,000 boat, as no one sunk a hole-in-one on hole two.
The winning team of the tournament was made up of Dave Frost, Raymond Duval, Henry Duval and Joe Morin.
Graveline has big plans for next year’s tournament, as he seeks to make it bigger every year. As he’s seen golfers from across the river join them for the tournament, he’d like to promote the arena and tournament further on the Quebec side.
That’s why he’s planning on challenging each municipality in the Pontiac to enter at least two councillors in the 2019 tournament. Graveline hopes this will help spread the word that the arena is open to all locals, not just those in the immediate area.
