BOWDEN — Another huge crowd turned out for the second annual reborn Bowden tricycle races, held at the Paterson Community Cenre March 16.
Hall manager manager Kim Urichuck says money raised from the event, held on or around St. Patrick’s Day each year, will go toward efforts by Expanding Horizons, the non-profit group that runs the community centre, to offset the cost of maintenance, upkeep and operations.
The eventual goal is to raise half the money needed to have the centre's parking lot paved. That cost is pegged at $260,000. It's hoped that organizers can cover the remainder of that cost via a matching Community Facility Enhancement Program grant from the provincial government.
Urichuk said this year’s races raised between $4,000 and $5,000, roughly on par with the $4,300 raised last year.
The races were originally held in the 1990s at the Bowden Hotel, which closed down in 2016, then burnt to the ground a few years ago.
Urichuk estimated that 180 to190 people attended the races this year, up from last year's attendance.
Garnett and Dani Marshall finished in first place this year. Clay Hubschmid and Justin Ouellette placed second. Mitch and Dryden finished in third place.
Cassidy and Evone posted the worst time.
The group's next fundraiser is a dinner theatre May 3 and 4 performed by the Bowden Town Theatre (previously the St. Andrews Players).
"Our main focus is to hold events such as this to encourage engagement within our own, and surrounding, communities. Something that is affordable, fun and encourages people to meet their neighbours, volunteer and get involved in their community," Urichuk wrote in an email.