Regina Centre's Prairie Plywood Cup

By Mauro Montanini
CPC Regina Centre
 

Row, row, row your boat...
Ahoy Mateys! from the Prairie Nautical Centre of Regina.

To think it all started over a drink at our CPC national convention! This became a borrowed idea fundraiser that raised over $26,000 in its second year. What is it? It’s the Plywood Cup.

What is the Plywood Cup? Teams of four pay a registration fee ($500 donated to the Raise A Reader Foundation) to build a boat and paddle. Each team receives two sheets of plywood, one 2 x 2 – 8’ long, a hammer, hand saw, nails, pencil, yard stick, tape measure and, of course, duct tape. They have 90 minutes to build their boat. They then have to race their nautical nightmares across Wascana Lake and back again. This lake is the centre of beautiful Wascana Park, which runs through the centre of Regina.

As well, teams were asked to raise pledges to support the Hospitals of Regina Foundation. Prizes are handed out for top individual and team with the most pledges as well as the race winner, best dressed team and the first boat to sink (Titanic award). Part of the fun and team building is in selecting a team name and costumes. Some examples of team names are: Osama Bin Paddlin’, or Piece Of Ship, or even the Boatload of Seamen. You can imagine the costumes that go with these names!

We had three goals when we embarked on this project. One was to raise some money for a charity; we did that. The first Plywood Cup in 2005 raised $11,000 and this year we raised more than $26,000.

The second was to raise the profile of Progress, and by all measures we are doing that. Due to a unique sponsorship arrangement we received more than $20,000 in print, radio and television media to promote the event. Also, more than 10,000 people watched the teams build their boats and race them across the lake and back. This event was featured them across the lake and back. This event was featured on the evening news on all our major television stations.

The third was to have a family event and this goal was more than met. Whole families from small children in strollers to grandmas and grandpas watched the entire event and laughed and shared their opinions on who had the best design. Part of the fun was seeing the costumes and reading the team names.

We can’t thank John Nunn, Ken Thorhaug and the rest of the Greater Vancouver Club enough. They not only let us use their idea, but they also gave us immeasurable help, providing copies of their detailed information, work lists, event and committee structure etc. This was truly in the best spirit of Progress and it all started over a drink at convention!

This will continue to be a large fundraiser for our club (we plan to raise $30,000 to $40,000 next year) and more importantly for the two charities that benefit from the proceeds. We will continue to raise the profile of Progress and are currently working with the Canada Day committee to move this event to that day. Hmmm – a Canadian Progress Club event on Canada Day – not too hard to understand.

This event is unique and fun and could easily be run in every city that Progress is in. Your club could probably do it on Canada Day – how’s that for an all Canadian CPC event?

Think about it and if you have any questions or want any help you can contact me or start by viewing the video on our website www.reginaprogress.com.

Yours in Progress, Matey!

Mauro Montanini
Plywood Cup Chair
Regina Centre