Serving
the community
for the past 20 years
| It’s arguably one of the best kept secrets in Orléans and some of its members wouldn’t mind keeping it that way. And who could blame them? The
Ottawa Gloucester Sports Club located in a small mall off Youville Drive, has
been providing a lunch hour haven for local businessmen for the past 20 years
and over that period of time the non-profit club has raised thousands of dollars
for dozens of minor sports teams and associations. Started primarily as an endeavour to raise money for minor hockey teams, the benefactors of the club’s generosity have grown to include soccer, baseball and softball teams – both boys and girls. Last
year, the club handed out over $10,000 in grants to some 40 different groups.
The money was raised through a number of activities including sales of their annual
calendar. While members often visit the club to wet their whistle, have a bite to eat or meet friends, they also play an active role in raising money. They man the beer tents, sell calendars, raffle tickets and are often the club’s best customers. The club survives because of the hard work of its members. The only paid employees are the bar manager and the servers. Besides quenching the thirst and curbing the appetites of its members, the club is also home to the Ottawa Gloucester Sports Wall of Fame. Among the 19 inductees whose pictures line the north wall are such east end minor hockey giants as Roger Senechal, Ray Laurin, Hubert Seguin and the clubès founding president Bob Lucci. The club is open Monday to Thursday from 11 a.m to 11 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m to 2 a.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The doors are also open for special events such as the Grey Cup and the Super Bowl. During the summer months evening hours vary depending on traffic. While members of the public are welcome, a club membership costs just $40 for the year. As well, there are group memberships available for two, three and four people offering additional incentives. For more information about the sports club you can call simply drop by or call 837-6366. |