The Pincher Creek Curling Club has enough money to keep construction of its new rink going through the end of May. After that, without new funding, the project could grind to a halt.

“Come June, if we don’t find other funding, that’s where we’re at,” club president Carrie Kinahan told town council April 27, outlining a funding gap of roughly $1.6 million.

Kinahan says the club’s request for help from the town is aimed at bridging a short-term cash-flow challenge rather than replacing ongoing fundraising efforts.

“We need help just getting over the finish line,” she tells Shootin’ the Breeze. “We’ve applied for grants, we’re continuing to apply, and we’re still going out to the community and businesses for support.”

How the project got here

Hayley Smith, vice-president of the club, told council the decision to begin construction last fall, before securing all funding, was driven by time constraints tied to a provincial grant.

The club received funding through the Community Facility Enhancement Program, which must be used by August 2026. Delaying the project would have put that funding at risk.

At that time, the club had advanced to the final stages of a $1.5-million grant application through the Alberta Community Initiatives Program.

“Based on the feedback we received, it was looking very promising,” Smith said. “Unfortunately, that grant fell through.”

The new rink is being built on Chief Mountain Avenue, behind Walmart, on land leased from the town for 20 years at a nominal fee. A groundbreaking ceremony was held Oct. 18, 2025, and once complete, the building would be owned by the curling club.

The club has already spent more than $3 million on the project.

“Our plans and project are very bare bones — it’s literally the building,” Smith said. “There’s no new rocks, fancy anything. It is bare bones.”

At that level and with equipment transferred from the old rink, completing the structure requires about $1.8 million, barring unforeseen costs or changes.

What’s already been committed

The town has committed $1.25 million to the project and provided the land as a contribution-in-kind.

The MD of Pincher Creek raised its contribution from $868,637 to $1 million following a pitch from the club at its Nov. 25 council meeting, with additional funds drawn from the regional community initiative reserve.

The MD also agreed to provide up to $50,000 of in-kind support.

Cash-flow crunch

Despite this funding, the club faces a near-term funding crunch. Kinahan said there is only enough to cover construction costs until the end of this month, including an upcoming payment of about $450,000.

Don Anderberg, also speaking for the club, was direct.

“We need the cash flow now to complete the building,” he said. “I don’t think you can raise this kind of money and certainly can’t in any reasonable time.”

He suggested council cover progress payments while the club continues its fundraising efforts.

Club members said pausing the project would add costs and create uncertainty.

Shutting down would require demobilizing contractors and securing the site, which could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, Kinahan said. Restarting later would add further expenses and risk losing contractor availability.

The club would also need to take on fencing and insurance costs currently covered under the contractor’s agreement.

Kinahan said June work is expected to run between $400,000 and $550,000, and that sealing and securing the site by the end of that month could cost another $400,000.

“Any project that gets paused, it’s a very big impact,” she said later. “Contractors that were hired are waiting to come and do their job. Now they’ve been told no, so they have to find other work.”

Fundraising momentum

Despite the pressure, the club reported some progress. Community and member donations have reached $53,300, and the club has earned just over $30,000 in interest on its grant funds. Club members are actively pursuing additional grants, corporate sponsorships and community donations.

Club members emphasized broad community benefits of the project, including hosting events, supporting local businesses and providing year-round space for activities such as markets, trade shows and tournaments.

Council questioned cash-flow projections, demolition costs and the potential risk of having to repay grant funding if the project is delayed. Kinahan said the club is in contact with CFEP officials to clarify timelines and conditions, but no final decision has been made.

If construction continues without interruption, the contractor is targeting a September handover, allowing the club to begin the curling season in October.

Kinahan says the club remains focused on completing the project while continuing to seek funding from multiple sources.

“We’d rather raise the money than ask for it,” she says. “But right now, we just need help to get it finished.”