Bad News and a Last Minute Hail Mary

Going into to request, there was no expectation of how much would be pledged.  Obviously, we hoped to get over our hurdle amount, but we wanted to at least get close.  Despite our best efforts, we only received $117K in pledges.  We could have pressed the club for some more but thought that even if we got to $150K, we would be nowhere near our hurdle.

So a month or so of depression set in amongst the membership, because it looked like our dream would never be achieved.  But then, two of our members discussed the pledges.  The conversation went something like this:

Member 1: Stinks we didn’t raise more money

Member 2: Yeah, but still impressive to get $117K in pledges

A few moments pass

Member 2: We have $117K, lets figure this out.  We must be able to get dedicated ice for $117K.  Right?

Member 1: Well, that is about a third of what we need to build our club, but what if we changed the goal.  How do you feel about “The Hobo Curling Club”

Member 2: What are you talking about?

Member 1: Well in our arena ice, we had no warm rooms, no locker rooms, disgusting bathrooms, the building was a dump.  All we really had was terrible ice.

Member 2: Right

Member 1: So, what if we duplicate that same scenario, but had good ice.  We don’t need bathrooms, we could rent a Port-A-Let.  We don’t need locker rooms, we could put up a couple of tents to change in.  We could just get some bag chairs and broomstack in the cold after our match.  We don’t need a warm room.  If someone is cold, wear a coat, or cover up with a blanket.

Member 2: You know that could work.

And with this conversation, the Hobo Curling Club dream was born.

A few things had to happen first.  Both members ran the idea past their wives (who are also curlers) to see if it was a decent idea.  Both wives immediately vetoed the Port-A-Lets, and really wanted some sort of heat, so we changed the minimum goal to include at least 1 toilet, and heat if we could afford it.

Then the hard work began.  One by one conversations were had with other key members trying to explain what the Hobo Curling Club was and trying to get people on board.  Slowly enough key members were on board, that it was time to move forward.  The moment of truth was upon everyone, and it was time to put together a budget showing how a club could be built for $117K.  Was this even possible?  If it were, wouldn’t have it been done by someone else already?  Time to cross our fingers and get to work…