Reece Ralph an Eagle Lake cottager is a ski cross competitor worth watching as he won the U19 Jr. Canadian Ski Cross Championship on April 14 at Sunshine Village in Banff Alberta. Ralph attributes the foundation for his success to Sir Sam's Ski and Ride and Victoria Fenninger of Fenninger Racing which is the travelling racing team based there. Submitted by Lori Ralph By Angelica Ingram
Published Feb. 28 2017
Volunteers have been working for more than a year to raise money for a new skate park in Haliburton Village and now efforts have been kicked up a notch.
On Friday Feb. 24 the municipality of Dysart et al announced it was launching a campaign titled $100000 in 100 days.
The goal is to try to raise $100000 between now and June to go towards the construction of a new skate park set to be built this year.
To date more than $70000 has been raised for the project including donations from the Haliburton Rotary Club Walker’s Home Hardware and Viper Marketing.
The campaign was kicked off at the second annual Battle of the Bands which raised $800 for the skate park.
Deputy-reeve Andrea Roberts announced the new campaign and was quick to put her support behind the cause.
“We need to raise some big bucks and we need to raise it in a limited amount of time” she said. “We’re kicking off the campaign today … my husband and I already decided we would like to pledge so I am pledging $1000. So we only have $99000 to go. Let’s do it.”
Roberts said she knows the target is ambitious but she believes it is possible.
“Every little bit counts” she said.
To encourage companies organizations and individuals to donate there will be a donor wall at the skate park recognizing contributions of $1000 $5000 $10000 and $25000 and up.
Any donation over $50 is eligible for a tax receipt.
The plan is to build the new skate park adjacent to the AJ LaRue Arena.
Dysart recreation coordinator Andrea Mueller said estimates for the project’s total cost will range between $150000 to $200000.
The Battle of the Bands featured seven musical performances from rock music to jazz to original rap.
First place went to Citizen X and North Born followed by Mark Arike (aka Whippz) in second and a tie for third between Mike McLellan (aka The Drifter) and Robbie Hall.
First place won a photo shoot with Mark Robinson photography. Other prizes included Sir Sam’s lift tickets rentals from Algonquin Outfitters a kayaking lesson from AO a gift card from Todd’s Independent and prizes from V & S.
