Caledon East seniors’ residence to benefit from golf tournament

By Zachary Roman

A local seniors' residence will be more than a fair way towards its renovation goals after the Town of Caledon Council's annual community golf tournament.

A motion to support Abbeyfield Caledon with the 2022 Caledon Council Community Golf Tournament's proceeds passed at a March 8 Golf Tournament committee meeting after a motion to support the Caledon Agricultural Society ended in a tie.

At Caledon Council's March 29 meeting, it adopted a recommendation to name Mayor Allan Thompson as Chair of the 2022 Caledon Council Community Golf Tournament Committee; and to award 75 per cent of net proceeds – up to $75,000 – to Abbeyfield Caledon.

Councillor Christina Early was selected to be vice-chair of the Tournament Committee, an amendment to the original selection of Councillor Lynn Kiernan. The motions to select the chair and vice chair were carried unanimously.

Abbeyfield Caledon is a non-profit seniors' residence in Caledon East and applied to benefit from the tournament in order to get a new roof and related upgrades. Abbeyfield Caledon is managed by a volunteer board of directors and the cost of living and meals there is shared by residents.

A Town of Caledon staff report said if it was selected as grant recipient, Abbeyfield would replace its existing roof, improve flashing and ventilation, and ensure proper ice and water shields are installed. The report added current infrastructure at Abbeyfield has only received minor repairs and is over 12 years old. 

Many non-profits applied to be the tournament's beneficiary, and golf tournament committee members said making the decision was not easy.

In its grant application to the Town of Caledon, Abbeyfield Caledon noted it had obtained detailed quotes for the work it's looking to complete and explained why it's so important.

“Given the extreme cold weather experienced this winter, the heat loss through the existing roof has created inconsistencies in providing adequate warmth for the residents,” reads the application.

“This capital project, if approved, will not only benefit the community of elders residing at Abbeyfield Caledon, but it will preserve an important asset that will serve many seniors in the coming years.”