Cochrane’s fundraisers continued to buck the economic trend over the weekend with the ninth annual Monumental Tournament of Aces shooting on par with $75,000 raised.
Kelly Kimmett, organizer of the event on behalf of the Lindsay Leigh Kimmett Memorial Foundation, said while $1,000 short of last year’s total, the final figure was impressive considering the province’s economy.
Due to struggles in the oil and gas sector, Kimmett said the tournament was down sponsorship from that community, which meant a few extra expenses for the foundation.
“We were a little short on auction items, so we bought a few things,” he said. “But in this economy I think it was fantastic.”
The tournament was not short of participants, selling out with 185 golfers registered for the Saturday event. Golfers also enjoyed a fantastic day of weather, a treat for the October event, which in the morning promised rain and cold.
By tee off time at 1:30 p.m. the skies cleared and the sun warmed the golfers, some dressed to meet this year’s theme of bright colours.
“It was the second best weather we’ve had,” said Kimmett.
In the evening, the silent auction raked in the money. The top selling items were a weeklong trip to Mexico and a trip to Kelowna, which both sold for more than $4,000.
Andy Potton, president of Cochrane Search and Rescue, was ecstatic when he learned the organization would benefit from $40,000 of the funds raised this year.
He said the figure was double the amount search and rescue budgeted for and will go a long way toward improving equipment, safety and training.
“We’re basically going to be able to equip all our vehicles with 50 watt radios,” said Potton, adding that includes a portable unit that can be loaded onto an ATV to improve communications in the bush.
Currently the organization is also working with old GPS units and the money will help upgrade those systems and increase the number to 25 from seven. Additionally the plan is to purchase GPS collars for the search and rescue dogs.
“It going to help us be tech savvy for the next five years,” said Potton, adding it will also help keep the organization’s members safe when they are in the field.
Money will also go toward purchasing safety equipment and conduct member training in everything from safety to stress management.
“That is something we’ve been missing for a long time,” said Potton.
The remaining $35,000 of the funds raised with go to support the RancheView Playground society, which is working to raise $300,000 to build a community playground at the school.
The infusion of funds brings pits the society about 30 per cent toward its goal, according to president Aaron Gertzen.
“We are ecstatic as a group,” he said. “For us to raise that amount on our own would take a year. It’s a big boost for parents and students.”
Once complete, the playground will be a fully accessible facility complete with a rubber surface and wheel chair accessible structures.
The plan is to begin construction next summer.
Much of the tournament’s success can be attributed to the approximately 100 sponsors.
Gryzko Harper Bouw Chartered Accountants have been sponsors since the tournament’s inception.
“We just want to help and be involved in the community,” said partner Brigitte Matshes, adding the tournament is a fun event for a great cause that has contributed a lot of money to community initiatives.
“It’s great to see so many members of our community come together and honour Lindsay’s memory,” she said.
Cochrane Floors and More were first time sponsors this year and Jacquie Matechuk – also a first time participant – said they were happy to support the event.
“I’ve seen a lot of what the Kimmett Memorial Fund has done for this community,” said Matechuk.
Anticipating that the tournament might suffer from the suppressed economy, Matechuk said she wanted to share the success her business has been fortunate enough to have this year.
“We’ve been blessed to stay busy,” she said. “It was a really good time to jump in and help out.”
Next year will be the Kimmett foundation’s final year organizing the tournament before the Rotary Club of Cochrane takes the reins.
Glen Gryzko, co-chair of the rotary’s tournament organizing committee, said the club – which has helped organize the tournament for the past three years – is hopeful to continue its success.
Under the rotary umbrella, Gryzko said the funds raised will continue to go to valued community projects that fill a need in Cochrane.
While 2017 will be the Kimmett family’s last year as head organizer of the event, Kimmett said it won’t be the end of their involvement.
Is there a grand finale planned to hand off the event to the rotary club?
Kimmett said the foundation has not planned that far ahead yet. Regardless of the hand off to new organizers, he added that with next year being the 10th anniversary people can expect something special.
