There’s been a constant buzz in Niverville surrounding the upcoming Community Resource and Recreation Centre (CRRC), and that’s just what one would expect when the federal and provincial governments make a local investment of more than $11 million. Clear evidence that the CRRC is only a year away can be seen in the rising 99,000-square-foot steel structure next to the high school. By early 2021, the building’s many amenities are expected to be in full use.
Working behind the scenes is Friends of Niverville, a volunteer fundraising committee that has been actively campaigning since long before the announcement was made. Their mission is to raise the final $3.2 million left over after the government grants are taken into account, including $5 million from the Town of Niverville. The entire build has been estimated at $19.5 million.
Clarence Braun and Libby Hanna are co-chairs of the core steering committee and they are backed by a large number of dedicated volunteers who work tirelessly to pull off the many fundraising events they plan.
Braun is heading up the corporate end of the campaign, hoping to raise about $2.2 million through the facility’s naming rights.
“One of the challenges of raising $3.5 million dollars in Niverville is that we don’t have [very many] generational businesses within Niverville,” Braun says, indicating that it’s often the multigenerational family businesses that are in a position to make larger donations to a local cause.
He adds, though, that the community is surrounded by a vibrant agricultural community and some larger donations are rolling in from very generous farmers.
By far the biggest sponsorship opportunity will be the right to name the entire facility and have that name emblazoned on the exterior of the building. This privilege will come at a cost of a cool $1 million, and Braun says he’s got at least one party very interested in the idea.
But that’s only one way to get your name on the building. Internally, naming rights can be secured on the 36,000-square-foot multiuse fieldhouse, the impressive new arena, the two-storey playground facility, or the link that connects the CRRC to Niverville High School.
As well, your name could appear on one of the two multipurpose room doors or on one of the eight change room doors. Braun says this has been a popular option, and at present all of the change rooms have been sponsored by local individuals or businesses.
But Friends of Niverville wants to give everyone a chance to see their names in the shiny new facility for posterity, and so naming rights are being attached to the 500 fieldhouse spectator seats as well as the 500 arena seats.
“It’s the support of the grassroots that you really need,” says Braun regarding the seat-sponsorship campaign. “You need the million-dollar donation, but that’s just one [donor]. You need the community support behind this, too, and that’s where the seat sale will be the greatest indication of community support for the project.”
Hanna is in charge of the residential fundraising campaign and is gearing up for a spring door-to-door blitz to help sell the seats.
“Our largest fundraising effort is going to be through the sale of having your name on a seat in the new CRRC,” Hanna says. “For a $1,000 donation, you can… leave your mark for all time. There are grandparents who have bought a seat in each of their grandchildren’s name, a family buying a seat in their family name, as well as many individuals who have bought a seat for each member of their household.”
Buying a seat, of course, doesn’t mean you’ve reserved the right to that seat at games. It simply provides a fun way to have your name on something tangible.
Tax receipts are available for all sizes of donations and sponsors can make their donations in installments over the entire year if a single large donation isn’t an option.
Every donor, big or small, will also have an opportunity to see their name on a creatively designed donor wall that will greet guests as they walk through the doors.
“If we have a kid in the elementary school that wants to put $25 towards this [facility], their name will be recognized on this wall,” says Braun.
A portion of the wall will also be dedicated to the donors who have chosen to remain anonymous. Braun says a number of people have opened their wallets with large donations but have indicated a preference for no public recognition.
Friends of Niverville have been planning events since 2016 when the first pancake breakfast was held. Since then, the committee has hosted three annual galas, each raising between $30,000 and $40,000. The next gala is being planned for May 2020, and this year will have a masquerade theme.
Barbecues, NHL drafts, Chase the Ace, and Touch-a-truck events are just some of the many other fundraisers that have been happening. December 2019 saw the first-ever Christmas Town event, which was a big success.
Bigway Bucks continue to be available for purchase at the Niverville Credit Union and town office. They are available in $20 increments and are redeemable for groceries at Niverville Bigway. In turn, Bigway will donate 10 percent back to the CRRC.
“We all shop there anyway, so why not make a donation at the same time?” Hanna says.
Details on all of the upcoming events are available on the Friends of Niverville website and Facebook page.
