Engage

Neighbours & our

Community in

Opportunities to

Relax and

Enjoy................activities, dinners, and special events at the KL ENCORE Club.

We are non-profit and completely administered by volunteers. 2020 rolled in and we were shut down due to Covid19 for months at a time. Over the 2 years we cashed in our reserves and rigidly budgeted the funds to ensure payment of the monthly bills for heat, hydro, water and property taxes. This 44,000 sq. ft. building has drained our finances, especially with the length of our winters (even with the 3rd floor completely closed off). We applied for government grants but with no employees and no financial safety net, we did not meet the critical criteria.

No substantial income since 2019 to offset the expenses incurred monthly, the Encore Club is struggling. We are hoping to raise $30,000 immediately to help finance the replacement of the plumbing in the summer of 2023, and help offset the monthly costs of heating and hydro. We are currently working to set up a GoFundMe.

Knowing the current high costs of tradesmen and materials, we believe $200,000 is a low estimate of the funds that we need to raise to complete the 4 projects listed; however, the plumbing and heating must be addressed now.

Our priorities are:

- plumbing (burst pipes in January caused damage on 3rd and 2nd floor

- heating (upgrade ancient heating system to maximize savings)

- elevator (with members/public using mobility devices the elevator is a god-send; unfortunately it was installed in the mid 1950s and a new elevator is required after its 65+ years of wear

- canteen (single grill and limited space we need to double the grill size and expand the kitchen area)

The building, once the KL Red Cross Hospital, was fully constructed in the early 1940s and renamed the Kirkland Lake Hospital. It was purchased in 1975 by the Encore Club whose members were all over the age of 55.

While membership was high, many retired members were qualified as electricians, carpenters, plumbers and other trades. These members were able to provide the necessary ongoing maintenance. Classes were offered to share their skills with others as well. Unfortunately, skilled retirees are scarce in our current membership, which has noticeably decreased.

Our Club offers a friendly and stimulating environment for the older adults (membership age 40+), and the general public, of Kirkland Lake and area. We are the only Senior’s Club in the Temiskaming District that offers a daily open canteen, special events and dinners, shuffleboard, pool, rug-hookers and quilting clubs and karaoke. We also offer a ball room to the public for parties, celebrations of life, physical activities and so forth. We also have an elevator and mobility access. A well known event of the Encore Club is the yard sale every Thursday and two Saturdays a month.

Please help us in saving this Club that is a mainstay of our community and surrounding area.