The Tarentorus Sports Club is officially no more.
Members of the non-profit organization have plans in place to demolish what’s left of the building, following a major structural collapse that happened last month.
An unsafe order was issued by the City of Sault Ste. Marie on the day of the collapse, according to Tim Bovingdon, who was among a small group of the club’s membership that was “just trying to keep everything going and help pay the bills.”
“Unfortunately, due to the extent of the damage that took place over the ice surface, and also the structural damage to the existing portion of the building, we're not going to be able to rebuild,” Bovingdon told SooToday.
“We didn't have the appropriate insurance and we don't have the funds in the bank to take on a project of that magnitude.
“We don't have the membership — it's a very small group of people.”
The roughly 70 members of Tarentorus Sports Club had been working tirelessly over the past year to hold fundraisers, in addition to hosting weddings, stag and doe parties and various events during the summer months in order to generate revenue for the club.
“But that was basically keeping the club operational,” Bovingdon said.
Construction crews are currently removing the damaged area over where the ice surface was so that the club can determine the structural integrity of the existing portion of the building.
It’s hoped that some personal belongings and other items from the building can be retrieved before it’s demolished entirely.
“We enjoyed it and it's unfortunate that we're going to lose that club. It was a small group of people, but we were pretty close knit and we had a lot of fun there,” Bovingdon said.
Members believe the Tarentorus Sports Club was first established on Avery Road in the city's west end back in the 1960s.
“When it was first established as a curling club, my understanding is it was a very active club,” said Bovingdon. “They had a lot of members and it was quite a busy place.”
The club now anticipates being “cost neutral” once demolition of the remainder of the building is complete.
“It's just one of those things I think we were fortunate to be able to enjoy it while we could,” Bovingdon said. “Under the circumstances, there's really nothing that could be done at this point.”
It’s anticipated the majority of club members will take up an offer from the YNCU Curling Centre to join its curling club on Anita Boulevard.
Bovingdon believes the move could end up being more practical for the curling community in Sault Ste. Marie.
“It just may end up making a lot more sense in the long run,” he said.