Meaford Sailing school gets $45,000. from Trillium Fund
By Scott Woodhouse Express Staff

"The Trillium Foundation grant is a great boost for us," said Roda Ironside, a member of the Georgian Bay Sailing Association, which is spearheading the school.

"Starting a new community sailing school is very exciting," she added.

Ironside has been instrumental in the past in bringing the BOOM youth sailing program to Meaford. This year, they've purchased their own boats and will be starting Sail Georgian Bay.

"This is a great summer program for kids aged 8-15 and teens and adults from 15 to 80," she said.

"We have two fabulous instructors who really inspire the kids and a great location for teaching," she said. Meaford's inner harbour is big enough to provide room for the small dinghies to sail in, but sheltered from the big water of the bay.

Ironside said they also plan to create a water safety and sailing awareness program for schools that will benfit all the learn-to-sail programs around the bay and encourage other communities to start their own schools.

Ironside said $20,000 of the Trillium grant will help purchase the necessary equipment, including eight Escape and two Echo dinghies that were used last summer through the Ontario Sailing Association. They also have one safety coach boat and may have two other sail boats donated to the program. But she's still looking for sponsors to help get the project off the ground.

Recently, she was talking it up at the Toronto Boat Show, handing out brochures and soliciting sponsors.

The program, along with last year's National Albacore Race, have done a lot to promote Meaford as a sailing destination.

Ironside said she is looking for local and corporate sponsorships to adopt a boat (Escapes cost $2,300 and 420s $8,500) or help puchase items on a wish list she's developed, including life jackets, oars, marker buoys, and a trailer. The program has received approximately $32,000 in equipment donations but still requires another $17,000.

"It all starts at the grass roots," she said. "We can issue tax receipts and name the boat after the donor."

The program will be able to accommodate 20 kids per session and 12 adults per session.

It covers water safety, sailing skills, knot tying, racing skills, capsizing and righting your boat, and offers CYA certificates on completion.

The program will offer morning and afternoon classes throughout July and August, as well as adult classes on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. A one week session will cost $90, 2 weeks-$175 and 4 weeks-$350. Adults sessions will cost $150 for four lessons and $288 for eight lessons.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation is an agency of the Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation. With $100 million is annual funding from the province's charitable gaming initiative, the foundation provides grants to eligible charitable and not-for-profit organizations in the arts, culture, sports, recreation, environment and social services sectors.