They cared, they came, they skied…and an ambitious initiative that will see small, custom-built homes built for those most in need came away the winner.
On January 22nd at the Kawartha Nordic Ski Club in North Kawartha, 11 teams, comprised of some 40 skiers, participated in the 8-Hour Ski Relay. When the snow settled, $16,800 was raised for the local Canadian Mental Health Association’s Garden Homes Project.
CMHA chief executive officer Mark Graham says the project, which is hoped will see more 500 square foot homes built over time, is an important first step.
Graham adds current bylaws don’t allow the homes to be attached to any type of home other than a single-dwelling unit. He says talks continue with the City to have bylaws adjusted to allow that.
Grahams notes the cost to build one TVM-constructed modular one-bedroom home is about $300,000 – $150,000 coming from the United Way. He adds the dollars raised at the ski relay means the money is now in hand to get started on the first build.
The ski relay was co-hosted and presented with support from Wild Rock Outfitters, Kawartha Nordic Ski Club and Ashburnham Ale House.
(Written by: Paul Rellinger)
