Potomac Curling ClubPotomac Curling ClubLaurel, MarylandLaurel, Maryland

How we built the firstHow we built the first

““Curling-Only” Facility in theCurling-Only” Facility in the

United States since 1974!United States since 1974!

Bob PelletierPotomac Curling Club

Bob PelletierBob Pelletier

Member, Minot, ND Curling Club, 1970-74Member, Minot, ND Curling Club, 1970-74 Member, Potomac CC, 1974-76, 1988-presentMember, Potomac CC, 1974-76, 1988-present Board Member, Potomac CC, 1989-2004Board Member, Potomac CC, 1989-2004 President, Potomac CC, 1991-2003President, Potomac CC, 1991-2003 Board Member, Grand National CC, 1997-presentBoard Member, Grand National CC, 1997-present President, Grand National CC, 2003-2005President, Grand National CC, 2003-2005 Board Member, U.S. Curling Assoc., 2004-presentBoard Member, U.S. Curling Assoc., 2004-present

Committees: Human Resources; Championships; Club Committees: Human Resources; Championships; Club and Membership Developmentand Membership Development

Member, Executive Committee, U.S.C.A., 2006Member, Executive Committee, U.S.C.A., 2006 Vice President, U.S. Branch, International Fellowship of Vice President, U.S. Branch, International Fellowship of

Rotary Curling, 2004-presentRotary Curling, 2004-present

History of theHistory of thePotomac Curling ClubPotomac Curling Club

Founded in 1961Founded in 1961 Curled on arena ice for 40 yearsCurled on arena ice for 40 years

Cabin John Regional Ice Rink, Bethesda, MDCabin John Regional Ice Rink, Bethesda, MD• Monday evenings: 8:00 pm to 12:00 amMonday evenings: 8:00 pm to 12:00 am

Over 2,000 members during this periodOver 2,000 members during this period Two major attempts to build a club in the DC area in the Two major attempts to build a club in the DC area in the

1980s were unsuccessful1980s were unsuccessful IT WAS THE MEMBERSHIP’S DREAM TO HAVE OUR IT WAS THE MEMBERSHIP’S DREAM TO HAVE OUR

OWN CURLING-ONLY FACILITY AT SOME POINTOWN CURLING-ONLY FACILITY AT SOME POINT

1996: WATERSHED YEAR!1996: WATERSHED YEAR!

Initial PlanningInitial Planningand Developmentand Development

19961996: Approached Gardens Ice House : Approached Gardens Ice House (currently under construction in Laurel, MD) to (currently under construction in Laurel, MD) to discuss possibility of building a curling club co-discuss possibility of building a curling club co-located within their facilitylocated within their facility

Benefits:Benefits: $1/yr lease (property owned by MD National Capital $1/yr lease (property owned by MD National Capital

Parks & Planning Commission)Parks & Planning Commission) Parking lot availableParking lot available Utilities would not be a problemUtilities would not be a problem Owner of Gardens Ice House wanted us to be thereOwner of Gardens Ice House wanted us to be there

How We ProceededHow We Proceeded

Appointed a Building Committee (all volunteers)Appointed a Building Committee (all volunteers)PresidentPresident Architect (chairman)Architect (chairman)

AttorneyAttorney CPACPA

Financial PlannerFinancial Planner Construction EngineerConstruction Engineer

Fundraiser/Public RelationsFundraiser/Public Relations

Developed a business planDeveloped a business plan Joined Balt.-Wash. Corridor Chamber of CommerceJoined Balt.-Wash. Corridor Chamber of Commerce Briefed Membership in Spring 1997 and given approval Briefed Membership in Spring 1997 and given approval

to proceedto proceed $20k in Building Fund to start$20k in Building Fund to start

Realized that a four-sheet club would cost at least Realized that a four-sheet club would cost at least $1 million$1 million

How We ProceededHow We Proceeded(continued)(continued)

Two Major RequirementsTwo Major Requirements Application for 501(c) (3) (tax-exempt) Application for 501(c) (3) (tax-exempt)

non-profitnon-profit• Based on educationBased on education

• Received approval in Fall 1997Received approval in Fall 1997 Serendipity!Serendipity!

Application for Liquor LicenseApplication for Liquor License• Tabled until actual construction beganTabled until actual construction began

How We Did It!How We Did It!

ArchitectArchitect Provided all plans, shop drawings, cost estimates, etc.Provided all plans, shop drawings, cost estimates, etc.

AttorneyAttorney Pro bonoPro bono Quiet Enjoyment (only major legal expense)Quiet Enjoyment (only major legal expense) Handled all permits, licensing, applications, and Handled all permits, licensing, applications, and

incorporation papers, etc.incorporation papers, etc. CPACPA

Familiarized himself with 501(c)(3) requirementsFamiliarized himself with 501(c)(3) requirements Annually audited all expensesAnnually audited all expenses

How We Did It!How We Did It!(continued)(continued)

Financial PlannerFinancial Planner Secured bank loan - recruited 15 members to Secured bank loan - recruited 15 members to

guarantee loanguarantee loan Quiet Enjoyment - recruited 2 GNCC members to Quiet Enjoyment - recruited 2 GNCC members to

guarantee this clauseguarantee this clause Prepared all documentation for USCA/WCF loanPrepared all documentation for USCA/WCF loan

• Recruited two individuals (one club member, one Recruited two individuals (one club member, one non-club member) to guarantee twice the amount non-club member) to guarantee twice the amount of the loan … required by USCA/WCFof the loan … required by USCA/WCF

Positive attitude when the night was darkestPositive attitude when the night was darkest

How We Did It!How We Did It!(continued)(continued)

Construction (Engineer)Construction (Engineer) Worked full time, on site with construction company to Worked full time, on site with construction company to

ensure all went wellensure all went well Fundraiser/Public RelationsFundraiser/Public Relations

Appeal to the Potomac Curling Club members - Appeal to the Potomac Curling Club members - raffles, silent auctions, etc.raffles, silent auctions, etc.

Three direct mails to the USCA membershipThree direct mails to the USCA membership USCA/WCF loanUSCA/WCF loan Local bank loanLocal bank loan State MatchState Match Matched Fund PledgeMatched Fund Pledge Anonymous PledgeAnonymous Pledge OtherOther

Club members constantly

briefed during season and by Newsletter

and email!

How We Did It!How We Did It!(continued)(continued)

- IMPORTANT NOTE -

All members of theBuilding Committee

stayed the entire course!!!This is absolutely necessary!

ConstructionConstruction

Sept. 2001 Marketing Seminar - USCA-sponsored

Oct. 2001 Ground Breaking Nov. 2001-Jan. 2002 Actual Construction Feb. 1, 2002 Grand Opening! Feb. 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics

…750 Visitors!Note:Club membership increased from 65 at the Cabin John Ice Facility (Dec. 2001) to 220 by April 1, 2002!!!

Other StepsOther Steps(which saved $$$)(which saved $$$)

Club members laid down dirt floor, installed Club members laid down dirt floor, installed plastic tubing, and other tasks to assist ice plastic tubing, and other tasks to assist ice installation by CNY Refrigeration of Clinton, NYinstallation by CNY Refrigeration of Clinton, NY

Club members performed all interior work in the Club members performed all interior work in the Warm Room and Ice ShedWarm Room and Ice Shed

Club members provided all furniture, appliances, Club members provided all furniture, appliances, etc.etc.

Carpeting installed by a Corporate SponsorCarpeting installed by a Corporate Sponsor Anonymous donor provided TV for all four Anonymous donor provided TV for all four

sheetssheets

Inaugural SeasonInaugural SeasonOct. 2001 – April 2002Oct. 2001 – April 2002

Hosted first Inaugural Bonspiel in October – 40 Hosted first Inaugural Bonspiel in October – 40 teamsteams

Hosted GNCC Women’s Playdowns in JanuaryHosted GNCC Women’s Playdowns in January Hosted first Cherry Blossom Bonspiel in MarchHosted first Cherry Blossom Bonspiel in March Began Junior ProgramBegan Junior Program Established a league systemEstablished a league system Over 200 membersOver 200 members Ran one instructor training and one officials Ran one instructor training and one officials

training sessionstraining sessions

Liquor LicenseLiquor License

Applied for permit in January 2002Applied for permit in January 2002 Denied in March 2002 because of protests by several Denied in March 2002 because of protests by several

church groupschurch groups

WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A PROBLEM…WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A PROBLEM…

BUT IT WASN’T…BUT IT WASN’T…

Club can purchase a weekend liquor license Club can purchase a weekend liquor license from the County since it’s a 501(c)(3) from the County since it’s a 501(c)(3) organization … can sell alcohol at Bonspielsorganization … can sell alcohol at Bonspiels

Since Inaugural SeasonSince Inaugural Season

Hosted USWCA Senior Bonspiel, 1/04 Hosted GNCC Mixed Championship, 1/05 Hosted US Mixed Nationals, 3/05 Hosted two 5-Year & Under GNCC Bonspiels Build out kitchen and bar through membership donations Membership remains at 200+ … but growing Conducted Curling Outreach at National Boy Scout

Jamboree, 7/05 Conducted Curling Seminar with USCA at Walter Reed

Army MC for wounded Iraq/Afghanistan war veterans

CURRENTLY…CURRENTLY…

1,250 visitors to Club after Torino Olympics1,250 visitors to Club after Torino Olympics Signed up 84 new members; extended season to

accommodate them Conducted 5 Learn To Curl Sessions with 35 in each

session Good possibility of 300 members this season …an

interesting issue Very successful Junior ProgramVery successful Junior Program

Over 50 in program Competing at other GNCC Clubs Will host first Junior Bonspiel this coming season

CURRENTLY…CURRENTLY…(continued)(continued)

Competitive TeamsCompetitive Teams Mixed teams – 2 Third Place and 1 Second Place at last Mixed teams – 2 Third Place and 1 Second Place at last

four National Tournamentsfour National Tournaments• GNCC Champions for 4 consecutive championshipsGNCC Champions for 4 consecutive championships

Men’s/Women’s Teams – Both competed in Bemidji, MN Men’s/Women’s Teams – Both competed in Bemidji, MN at Playdowns leading to Worldsat Playdowns leading to Worlds

New Members involved in all facets/phases of New Members involved in all facets/phases of running the Clubrunning the Club

Major goal is to pay off loans through increased Major goal is to pay off loans through increased membership, fundraising activities, etc.membership, fundraising activities, etc.

Other FactorsOther Factorsto Considerto Consider

Insurance:Insurance: $7,000/year$7,000/year

Personal Property Taxes: $11,000/yearPersonal Property Taxes: $11,000/year

Increased Utility CostsIncreased Utility Costs

LEAGUESLEAGUES

MondayMonday Men’s LeagueMen’s LeagueTuesdayTuesday Women’s LeagueWomen’s LeagueWednesdayWednesdayCapital League (Competitive)Capital League (Competitive)ThursdayThursday Drop-in, Learn To Curl, etc.Drop-in, Learn To Curl, etc.FridayFriday Friday Night League (open)Friday Night League (open)SaturdaySaturdaySundaySunday Afternoon – JuniorsAfternoon – Juniors

Evening – Pizza League Evening – Pizza League (open)(open)

FINAL THOUGHTSFINAL THOUGHTS Must have membership commitment to stay the Must have membership commitment to stay the

course (LV)course (LV) Building Committee must be totally dedicated to Building Committee must be totally dedicated to

the project: for us, it was six yearsthe project: for us, it was six years Don’t give up despite setbacks… We had many Don’t give up despite setbacks… We had many

but kept moving forwardbut kept moving forward Get new members involved ASAPGet new members involved ASAP Develop an Operating Plan for each season and Develop an Operating Plan for each season and

brief the membershipbrief the membership IT CAN BE DONE!!!IT CAN BE DONE!!!

Bob PelletierBob Pelletier

9056 Bellwart Way9056 Bellwart WayColumbia, MD 21045-2304Columbia, MD 21045-2304

Home:Home: 410.715.1655410.715.1655Work:Work: 301.929.4378301.929.4378Cell:Cell: 443.668.1902443.668.1902Fax:Fax: 301.929.4383301.929.4383Email:Email: robepelleti@aol.comrobepelleti@aol.com