Another success for the Bonnechere Manor Foundation’s Auditorium Campaign with the announcement of a very generous $100,000 donation from the Rotary Club of Renfrew! The committed donation of $100,000 will be disbursed to the Bonnechere Manor Foundation over 20 years at $5,000 or more per year until the end total is reached.

The donation is the first of its magnitude given to the Foundation, and as stated in all Foundation-related literature, the first $100,000 donor is entitled to the naming authority of the Bonnechere Manor Centre.

 “The fact that the name for the Auditorium will be representing the Rotary Club of Renfrew could not be more suiting as the Auditorium is a community-driven and supported initiative” states Robyn Arseneau, the Community Relations Coordinator at Bonnechere Manor. She adds that, to date over 2,500 personal and 70 charity and corporate donations to the Auditorium Campaign have been received by the communities of Renfrew County. “This project has been a huge undertaking and the Foundation would not be where it is today with its fundraising efforts if it were not for all the community’s support!” adds Mrs. Arseneau. In total the Bonnechere Manor Foundation’s portion of the $1.1 Million project is $424,166 (the remaining consists of $100,000 given from M. Sullivan & Son to the County of Renfrew for the project, $190,204 from the City of Pembroke and $401, 780 from the County of Renfrew). These amount however, only include the ‘bricks and mortar’ of the project and do not include the items required inside the new facility.

Although substantial, this donation does not end fundraising efforts for the Bonnechere Manor Foundation and the Auditorium Campaign. “Tables, chairs and other required furniture; curtains for the stage and windows; lighting, projection screen and a sound system; are still needed for the Auditorium” explains Shayne Hoelke, Administrator for the Bonnechere Manor. “The Foundation still has a long way to go before the Auditorium is complete for use by the residents and the general community” states Mr. Hoelke.

That being said, the members of the Foundation are taking a moment to pause and celebrate this major accomplishment and donation. Hugs and words of thanks are exchanged to mark the success hard work has brought to the Auditorium Campaign.

From here, the process to establish the official name of the Auditorium “is rather simple” explains Foundation Chair, Don Goulet. “The Rotary Club of Renfrew will provide the name they wish to call the ‘Bonnechere Manor Centre’ to the Board of Directors at the Foundation, which will then be taken forward and presented to the Health Committee of the County of Renfrew, who will then take it to County Council – who have the ultimate vote and say regarding the name.” Once the formalities are finalized, steps will be taken to release the name to the public during the Grand Opening scheduled for later this spring/early summer. 

The Foundation would like to extend their appreciation to the Rotary Club of Renfrew and all those who have supported this event and the Auditorium Campaign at Bonnechere Manor. For more information about the Auditorium Campaign, the Grand Opening, or ways you can donate or become involved, please contact Robyn Arseneau at 613-432-4873 ext. 1253 or visit us on-line at www.BonnechereManorFoundation.com.