When the former Young-Davidson Mine was operational here in the community back in the 1950’s, they were great sponsors of organized curling. As a matter of fact, Young-Davidson Mines built the original curling club and prior to closing the mine, moved it to its current location. Recently, the Township of Matachewan entered into a partnership with the Matachewan Riverside Lions Club, the Governments of Canada and of Ontario, the Kirkland District Community Development Corporation (KDCDC), the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), the Ministry of Health Promotion’s Sports Culture and Tourism Partnership (SCTP) and Superbuild Fund, as well as Northgate Minerals Young-Davidson Project for the renovation and reconstruction of our curling club and to recreate it as a multipurpose venue. Council and staff would like to take this opportunity to thank our major funding partners, without whom this project would not have been possible.
As a token of our appreciation to our major corporate sponsor, Northgate Minerals who donated $60,000.00 towards this project, it has been named The Young-Davidson Multifunctional Complex and houses our municipal recreational skating rink that can be converted into three sheets of curling rink ice, a community hall and a multipurpose facility.
Opening up many recreational opportunities for our residents, businesses and neighbouring First Nations Community, a local family gathering place such as this is truly a necessity in order to give our youth, our seniors and others a healthy place to gather and participate in a multitude of recreational activities on a year round basis. This multipurpose facility can be utilized for youth sporting activities throughout each year, for senior fitness programming, for recreational skating and curling, for community functions and meetings and also has a kitchen and canteen.
With the recent mining activity taking place in our community we are expecting an influx of workers and new residents who will now have expanded recreational activities and entertainment here in Matachewan and the surrounding area. The facility will give young and old alike a place to gather socially and to undertake physical activities such as curling, skating and other sporting activities. This project will also enable competitors from the area to host events and compete with other neighbouring communities such as Elk Lake, Kirkland Lake and Englehart. This venture will go a long way to promoting physical fitness and to provide recreational activities. This multipurpose, year round facility is the only one of its kind in our area and is available for use by residents, businesses and the local First Nations Community.
A newly renovated, safe and fully accessible multipurpose facility has been constructed for the community. Cost and energy savings will be the result as the old skating rink and curling club are now rolled into the same facility. The use of natural ice and fluorescent lighting make this facility less expensive to operate. It is the only facility of its kind in Matachewan and the community will reap the increased physical activity and health benefits. The upgrade has certainly extended the lifespan of the facility, providing better recreational opportunities, and reducing operating costs.Usage, safety and health benefits will all now increase as the facility has been upgraded but also due to the wider variety of sport/cultural events that are possible with its multi-functionality.