ELCC Campaign reaches $1.1Million of $2 Million goal!

ELCC Fundraising Campaign reaches $1.1M of $2Million goal!

WATFORD, ON – The East Lambton Community Complex (ELCC) Fundraising Committee launched the public phase of its fundraising campaign Monday in Watford by announcing it has surpassed the halfway mark of its $2Million goal.

Campaign Co-Chairs George and Rhonda Noll acknowledged all donors to date, thanking them for their support of the project.

“We were so optimistic about reaching our $2M goal, that we thought we’d share where we are at,” George said, as Rhonda unveiled the progress thermometer. “We are currently at $1.1Million which we were able to raise in a very short amount of time. We’re really impressed with the donations so far. They say the first million is the easiest one, but I don’t’ think that’s the case because we still have a lot of doors to knock on.”

The Nolls said the committee would not be here without the unwavering support of the community.

“Individuals, families, local businesses, former residents, businesses outside our region, service clubs and user groups have all reached out and committed to invest in this facility. Thank you to each and every one of you.”

The Nolls acknowledged their top donors Lambton Mutual Insurance Co. who have donated $200,000.00 toward the project and the Watford Optimist Club who have donated $100,000.00 toward the new ELCC as well as Deb & Daryl Ayris & Forest Agri Services, Todd & Sandra White and Brookside Retirement Living, The Cornelissen Family and Spriet and Associates who donated $50,000.00.

Arena upgrades are already complete and include three new accessible dressing rooms, upgrades to existing dressing rooms, new accessible washrooms, accessible rink viewing area, new common area beside canteen and new flooring throughout. The addition to the building, which will replace the Watford Centennial Hall, will include a new gymnasium and community hall boasting a capacity of 750 people and indoor walking track; an outdoor kitchen, a multi-purpose room, YMCA fitness facility which is a joint partnership with the municipality, a new entrance with drop off area and lounge that will feature workstations and lounge seating, and an expanded parking lot to accommodate over 300 vehicles.

Warwick Township Council set a vision for the project in its Strategic Plan at the start of their term in 2018 and has been working toward it since. Construction commenced early 2021 and is set to be completed later this fall.

Mayor Jackie Rombouts commended the committee for its work and on behalf of Council thanked everyone who has donated toward the complex.

“We have such a great committee and I want to thank George and Rhonda for leading this team,” Rombouts said. “Council would like to especially thank all the individuals, families and businesses who have generously donated toward the new East Lambton Community Complex. Every dollar raised goes toward reaching the $2M goal and we plan to reach this goal before opening later this fall.”

Anyone who would like to donate to the campaign can email elcccampaign@warwicktownship.ca, print a pledge card at www.warwicktownship.ca/elcc and return it to the Warwick Township office, call George or Rhonda at 226-980-6422 or contact any of the committee members (Mike Acton, Rick Bebingh, Brad Goodhill, Mark Hamel, Steve Minten, Brad Rombouts, Jackie Rombouts, Todd White).