Submitted by Bill Johnston, The New Churchbridge Swimming Pool Committee
Three cheers for Molson Coors and 330 cheers for Churchbridge's new swimming pool project. Thanks to the Molson Coors Community Cheers program Churchbridge's pool project moved $20,000 closer to completion Wednesday, March 21.
Churchbridge was among 21 community projects across Canada that received a piece of the $1 million Community Cheer fund. A total of 100 communities initially applied for funding. All were encouraged to demonstrate the support they had by garnering "cheers" online. In order to advance to the final selection each had to receive a minimum of 225 cheers, and in Churchbridge's case over 330 "cheers" were received.
Those projects that received 225 cheers were then evaluated by the Molson Coors Community Cheer committee based on four key criteria: the amount of community cheer and support; the ability to meet application criteria; the project's alignment with Molson Coors values, and; the positive social impact on the community and ability to demonstrate success.
"The fantastic response for Community Cheer has exceeded our expectations. We saw an incredible number of impactful community supported projects in this year's program," says Ferg Devins, Chief Public Affairs Officer, Molson Coors Canada.
"Through Community Cheer we are continuing to invest in Canadian communities as we have done for over 225 years, since our founder John Molson opened the brewery in 1786. We are thrilled to be able to make a difference in 21 more communities this year."
"We are very excited and appreciative that our new pool project is one of the successful 21 projects from across Canada to be selected by Molson Coors," said Bill Johnston, a member of Churchbridge's committee.
The announcement came at an appropriate time as work has resumed on the construction site of the $1 million pool project with the target of completing it by early July.
"Local and provincial support for the new pool has been unbelievable," says Johnston, "and this now represents recognition and support on a national level."
To date approximately $800,000 has been raised, with a $300,000 grant from the provincial government being the cornerstone for the on-going fundraising efforts.
To that the Churchbridge Lions Club and Mosaic Potash have added $50,000 each, committed over five years. The committee has a full slate of fundraising projects ahead, and is still seeking support from area businesses and organizations.
"For a smaller community such as Churchbridge, taking on such a major project is a big commitment. Having Molson Coors provide its support shows us that commitment was worth taking on three years ago," adds Johnston.
The successful Molson Coors Community Cheer projects focus on building active, social and vibrant communities in Canada and range from building sports and recreation centres, swimming pools, parks, hiking trails and skating rinks.
As part of the company's community investment mission, Molson Coors Brewing Company works to promote the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities where it conducts business. Through Molson Coors Community Cheer, the company will support Canadian communities in a way that relates to beer culture, which it defines as social, fun, active and inclusive. It looks to fund projects and initiatives that will support the social life of the community by bringing people together and promote an active lifestyle.
For more information on Community Cheer, visit www.OurCommunityCheer.com.
