“This is a great day in FWCC’s proud history,” said Sam Barbisan, Fort William Curling Club (FWCC) President. “Thanks to this project, FWCC is the first curling club in Thunder Bay to be wheelchair accessible. People of all physical abilities can now enjoy our social sport on and off the ice with access to our ice surface, restaurant and lounge.”

In 2006 FWCC became the first Club in Northern Ontario to offer wheelchair curling. However, the situation was not ideal with participants needing to come through the adjacent Fort William Gardens to reach the ice surface in addition to being unable to access the second floor of the Club. Thanks to the $370,000 elevator project, which began construction in July 2009, people using wheelchairs and others with mobility challenges can now access the ice surface as well as the lounge, restaurant and washrooms.

"I am very pleased with the installation of the elevator and the accessible renovations for getting to the ice surface at our club,” said wheelchair curler Al Buchan. “Wheelchair curlers and many other individuals with varying degrees of ability will be now able to enjoy the camaraderie of FWCC."

The following were acknowledged for their support and/or involvement:

• The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund - $115,000
• The City of Thunder Bay - $115,000
• Ontario Trillium Foundation - $100,000
• Fort William Curling Club members - $14,000
• Molson Coors Canada - $5,200
• Gateway Contractors (Thunder Bay), Fred Wood (Architect), Bill Pawluk (Design Consultant)

This weekend FWCC is hosting Northern Ontario’s Wheelchair Curling qualifying event for the Ontario ParaSport Winter Games to be held in Kingston in January 2010. Thanks to the new elevator, the FWCC will also be hosting the 2011 Northern Ontario Wheelchair Championships and the 2012 Canadian Wheelchair Championships. Wheelchair curling is part of the Paralympic Games.

Fundraising efforts for this project continue as $12,000 is still required. Businesses and individuals interested in making a donation are encouraged to visit the Club, visit http://www.fortwilliamcurlingclub.com or call 622-5377.