Returning to his roots
Northam native holding fundraiser for new Tyne Valley Events Centre
"What I like is Robbie is from our area, he did skate at that rink and it means something to him, too. It’s more than just a promotion. There is a lot of heart behind the effort. I like the fact he hasn’t forgotten where he came from, and he wants to give back.”
Rachel Noye
WEST COVEHEAD – Robbie Moore could not wait for the opportunity to give back to his home community.
Moore, an oyster fisherman and processor in West Covehead, grew up on the Northam Road and played minor hockey out of the Tyne Valley Community Sports Centre. The hub of the West Prince community was destroyed by fire in December 2019.
Plans and government funding are in place for a new Tyne Valley Events Centre, which will carry a price tag of close to $10 million. A rink rebuild committee is responsible for raising a share of that money. The final total will be known once the last tender comes in next month.
Moore and his partner, Kendra Mills, operate the recently-opened Brackley Bay Oyster Company at 802 MacMillan Point Rd. in West Covehead. They are donating 100 per cent of oyster sales on Friday (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and Saturday (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.) to the rink rebuild committee.
“Between playing minor hockey there and what the oyster festival does for the oyster industry, the rink is a pretty important part of the community,” said Moore, 39. “Kendra and I want to try and do our part.
“With everything the oyster festival and Rock the Boat (music concert) does for the oyster industry, we felt it was the right fit. … It was pretty sad this year when they couldn't have the oyster festival, which is a big fundraising event for the rink. It would have been a tremendous help with their fundraising.”
Moore reached out to Rachel Noye, who is the fundraising chairwoman for the rink rebuild committee. She was thrilled to hear Moore’s proposal.
"What I like is Robbie is from our area, he did skate at that rink and it means something to him, too,” said Noye. “It’s more than just a (business) promotion.
“There is a lot of heart behind the effort. I like the fact he hasn't forgotten where he came from, and he wants to give back.”
DONATIONS
Moore, who is hoping to have some fun during the two-day fundraiser, said a donation jar will be available in case people who are not oyster fans want to stop by and donate.
“They are going to owe a lot of money, and everybody needs to play their part and chip in where you can,” said Moore, who added, if this one goes well, he could consider doing a similar fundraiser next summer when tourists are here.
Moore and Mills wanted to hold this fundraiser in the summer. But since they never opened their facility until
Aug. 7, the timing wasn't right.
"We said this coming weekend is the right time to see what we can rally for the valley,'" said Moore.
TIMING
Noye said the timing of this fundraiser could not be better.
She said the committee hit the ground running in January and was able to accomplish a lot in a short period before the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic shut things down in March.
“We can’t have a big fundraiser because we can’t have a lot of bodies in a closed space with the protocols,” said Noye, who urged residents to keep an eye on the Tyne Valley and Area Events Facebook page for upcoming fundraisers.
“With small businesses continuing to do what they are doing and kicking back to us, we just can’t thank them enough. That's making a difference and making a dent in our fundraising efforts.”