By Joel van der Veen
DAVIDSON — The total raised for Davidson’s new pool is now well over the $1.2-million mark, following a successful community auction on April 8.
The auction, held at the Davidson Communiplex and conducted by Manz Auctioneering Service, raised a total of $150,000.
Mary Jane Morrison, speaking on behalf of the swimming pool committee, said upwards of 250 people attended the event.
Over 100 items were sold over the course of the live auction, which began promptly at 7 p.m. and didn’t finish under sometime after midnight.
The event also included the announcement of a donation from PotashCorp, with the company matching the first $20,000 raised.
Ryan Shaw, who works at the PCS Allan mine, was on hand to make the presentation, which came less than halfway through the live auction.
Morrison said one of the highlights was the sale of six outdoor chairs, which were auctioned off individually.
Hidden inside one of them was round-trip airfare for two to Los Angeles, plus a pair of tickets to two LA Kings home games and a $300 hotel voucher, the latter part donated by Kings defenceman Davidson native Brayden McNabb.
The winning chair was purchased by Lyndon Cool, a former classmate of McNabb’s.
Morrison spoke of the atmosphere at that moment, saying, “The whole room was just so happy for him.”
The Kinsmen Club operated the bar for the evening, while numerous individuals, clubs and businesses donated food and auction items. Dozens of donated items were also sold through a silent auction.
“We had so much help, so much support,” said Morrison. “It was unbelievable … overwhelming.”
She said the committee is continually struck by the generosity of residents from Davidson and beyond, including the surrounding trading area and the three cities.
“We were confident that it would be successful, but maybe not to this degree,” said Morrison, adding that it “makes you feel good that we live in this community and in this province.”
She also said the committee, now active for more than three years, continues to work well, with members willing to meet any needs that arise.
“Someone always steps up and says ‘I’ll do it’,” she said. “They’re always just so enthusiastic and willing to take the lead.”
This was the second auction to benefit the pool project; the first was held in April 2014. The auction was expected to be one of the last major fundraising events for the pool.
Morrison said the committee will be focusing on managing the money that has been raised and determining how it can be spent effectively to develop the best facility for local users.