Organizers of the annual Bay Bulls to Bauline Athletic Association Auction hope to have a tally within the next week or so on how much money they netted from this year’s event.
Last year the event grossed some $123,000 and left the association with $70,430 after expenses to put into programs and infrastructure in the region. This year’s auction was even bigger in terms of attendance, said BBBAA president Scott Penney.
“It was the biggest crowd ever,” said Penney, “over 370 people. We sold nine more tables over last year… It was amazing. It was a great time. It was great to see so many new people and new faces.”
Among the prizes auctioned off was a seat from the Montreal Forum autographed by the late Jean Beliveau, commissions by painter Jean Claude Roy to paint a scene of the winner’s choice, use of a condo in Florida for a week, $1,000 in Provincial Airlines certificates, a pig roast for 70 at Lester’s farm or at your home and catered by Lester’s, and private performances by the band Bic and the Ballpoints. Three people went home with Roy commissions, at bids of $7,500 each, while a boat tour for 100 people aboard O’Brien’s whale watching boats went for $3,000.
Other items up for auction or prizes included a couple of high powered rifles, a necklace from Diamond Design, a ‘Passion Party Chest,’ and paintings by Christine Koch and Susan Boyle.
It’s a lot of work keeping such an event going, Penney allowed, but he said it’s possible due to a strong committee of organizers and help from sponsors and others such as the Community Credit Union in Witless Bay, whose staff volunteer to work the show handling the money from the night’s proceedings. Businessman Andrew Bell donated enough wine for every table.
The BBBAA has already booked Bic and the Ballpoints to perform for the dance at next year’s show, which is set for May 28, 2016 and again at the Bay Bulls Regional Lifestyle Centre.
Penney said the money raised at the auction will be put to good use. “We’re in discussions now with Witless Bay and hope to announce soon a project over there,” he said. “We’re in the process of submitting an application (to government) and trying to pull a few things together but we’re there with a significant investment to put into that community.”
Penney said the BBBAA hopes to have a new regional recreation director in place by this fall – the previous one left for a job in the oil and gas industry – and is looking for office space. The association currently works out of free space inside the Bay Bulls Town Hall.
Penney said the association will also look around and entertain proposals to invest in recreational infrastructure throughout its coverage area. “Our goal is to put this (auction) money out into the community as quick as we possibly can.”
