The warning is out: The future of paddling in jeopardy.
The Lakehead Canoe Club needs help, stressing the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has really hit them hard.
Courtesy: LCC
“Suddenly we neither the rental revenues coming in nor do we have any of the festivals in the region. We used to go to Kenora, Fort Frances and Manitouwadge, so (for all intensive purposes) everything has cease and desisted” says Commodore Volker Kromm. “I’d like to see council forgive some of our debts and possibly reinvest in Boulevard Lake because quite frankly I doubt they’ve assigned a lot of reserve funding towards dredging, which really makes a big difference to us.”
Kromm notes he doesn’t begrudge the closures because of COVID-19, he just says the reality is a lot of their revenue streams are gone.
Kromm adds there have been ongoing discussions about the matter with Current River Ward Councillor Andrew Foulds. The club applied for some rebates and were able to secure a 50% reduction.
The club adds the questionable access to water the years leading up to the draining, the current two years of repairs, and the pandemic could be their undoing.
