Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to bring to the attention of this House the efforts of a fine Yellowknife club, the Yellowknife Gymnastics Club. They have taken on the challenge of conducting the largest raffle in the history of the Northwest Territories, and that includes Hay River as well, I believe.
-- Laughter
The Yellowknife Gymnastics Club is composed of 300 or so members, and it has been in existence for approximately 20 years in this fine city. For the past two years, the club has been operating out of a vacant warehouse on Old Airport Road. Soon, Mr. Speaker, that will not be the case. The club is working on raising the necessary money to build a multi-sport athletic training centre in Yellowknife for the benefit of northern athletes from around the Territories.
The club recognized the growing need for such a centre in the North and has been actively fundraising for the last few years. In-kind support, by way of architectural planning, legal and other services has already been donated towards the building of the facility, Mr. Speaker.
Numerous contributions from individuals, community groups and businesses have been received and along with fundraising events, the club has secured approximately 40 percent of the money needed. Mr. Speaker, to date they have raised approximately $336,000 and they need another $464,000 to go.
The goal is to build a permanent training centre that would include a dedicated gymnastics training area; areas for other sports such as wrestling, karate, and tae kwon do; areas for community dance programs, skaters and athletes in choreographed sports; and specialized training areas for conditioning and rooms to host coaching clinics and team meetings, Mr. Speaker.
The most recent fundraiser is a first for the North. In October of last year, the club began selling 30,000 raffle tickets for a 2000 Hummer, worth $157,000, Mr. Speaker. The lucky ticket holder will have the option of owning this vehicle or they can take $100,000 in cash. It is quite a deal, Mr. Speaker, and you can get your tickets at [email protected], or you can buy them at various locations around the city.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend the Yellowknife Gymnastics Club for taking on this very ambitious project. I hope my colleagues all have their tickets, even Mr. Delorey, because the draw date is fast approaching. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.