Legacy Membership Information

Find out how your vote impacts the Idylwylde Golf & Country Club as it continues as a not-for-profit entity.

Shareholders vote "for" continuance under ONCA

Thank you to the many Shareholders who attended, voted, and submitted proxy votes for last night's Shareholders' Special Meeting.

A total of 637 votes were tallied with Shareholders voting
69.7% FOR and 30.3% AGAINST.

Next steps will be communicated by email and posted on the website over the next few days.

DOWNLOAD SCRUTINEERS' REPORT

For over 100 years - since 1922 - the Idylwylde Golf and Country Club (the “Club”) has been the premier social club with Shareholders in Northern Ontario. Since 1978 the Club has operated as a Not-for-Profit.

The Government of Ontario enacted the Ontario Not-For-Profit Corporations Act (ONCA) in October 2021 requiring clubs like ours to change our corporate structure if we want to continue operating as a Not-for-Profit.

This action requires that the Idylwylde Golf and Country Club hold a Special Shareholder Meeting to consider and vote YES on the resolution unanimously approved by the Idylwylde Board of Directors to cancel all issued and outstanding shares and to continue in a membership structure.

Please explore the below documents and articles for more detail about actions taken to date and those still required. These sections include:

Letter from the President
The Idylwylde and ONCA
Draft By-Law
The Unanimously Approved Board of Directors Resolution
Frequently Asked Questions
Shareholder Special Meeting Package
Proxy Form

The Idylwylde & ONCA

About ONCA

The Ontario Not-For-Profit Corporation Act was officially enacted October 2021
Under ONCA, a corporation that has shares is no longer considered Not-for-Profit.
Not-for-Profit corporations with shares must, by October 2026, transition to one of the following corporations:
- a Not-for-Profit capital corporation without shares
- a co-operative corporation (under the Co-operative Corporations Act) or
- a for-profit share capital corporation (under the Ontario Business Corporations Act.
The Idylwylde Golf and Country Club Board of Directors, in consultation with its auditor and lawyers, has determined that it is most advantageous to our course, our facilities, and most importantly our Members, to continue operating as a Not-for-Profit corporation under ONCA. A YES vote is critical to the continuance of our Club as we know it. The Board has made significant strides in updating and providing additional benefits and perks for Shareholders on transition to ONCA and should be considered when voting YES.
Therefore, under ONCA, the Idylwylde Golf & Country Club is required to call a special meeting for Shareholders to cancel all shares to remain a Not-for-Profit corporation.

About the Idylwylde

Located between Laurentian University and beautiful Lakes Ramsey and Nepahwin, the 6000-yard golf course provides magnificent views. Founded in 1922, it was developed from the old Howey Farm on the south shore of Ramsey Lake. Early golfers had to make their way via water taxi across the lake until an adequate road was built to accommodate traffic.

The original frame clubhouse was located near the current tee on the 5th hole and was destroyed by fire in 1962. A new clubhouse was subsequently built on the present location adjacent to Lake Nepahwin.

A merger with the Granite (Curling) Club created a new activity. During the construction of the curling rink, the Club expanded its kitchen, dining, and meeting room facilities to accommodate a larger year-round clientele.

The Idylwylde soon developed expertise in hosting and catering to large club and community social functions and now boasts one of the finest professional catering facilities in the North. Everything from private functions, meetings, club events, and weddings are scheduled around golf tournaments and bonspiels throughout the year.

The Idylwylde continues to provide significant local employment opportunities, has a steep history in golf and curling, and continues to provide significantly to the recreational needs of Greater Sudbury.

About Share Capital

Shares in the corporation were sold starting in 1922 to help fund the construction of the course.
As the Idylwylde evolved, the purchase of a share essentially became a requirement for membership.
To date, 1,216 shares have been issued to 1,216 shareholders.
The purchase of a share allowed each Shareholder to purchase a golf membership and to have a "voice" in the business of the club by voting on important matters at Special or Annual General Meetings.
Shareholders were also able to join volunteer committees and seek election to the Board of Directors, if so inclined.
By provincial law, Shareholders in a not-for-profit corporation cannot receive dividends or any financial gain from corporate profits.
In 2018 the Board of Directors placed a moratorium on selling any new shares when our auditors highlighted the new ONCA legislation.

Action Required

We need your help to comply with the requirements of the ONCA.

A Special Shareholder's Meeting will be held at the Idylwylde Golf & Country Club on Thursday, August 17, 2023 at 7:00pm.
The purpose of this meeting is to pass the proposed resolution by the Board of Directors to enable the Idylwylde Golf and Country Club to comply with ONCA, and function as a Not-for-Profit corporation without shares.
Shareholders may vote in advance via Proxy or may vote in person at the meeting.
2/3 of the total vote must be YES for the proposal to be considered approved by the Shareholders.
A proxy form can be found below. All proxies must be mailed, scanned and emailed, or delivered in person to the Club Office no later than August 16th, 2023 at 4:30pm.
If additional information is required, please contact Paul Schweyer, General Manager, at paul@idylwylde.com or 705.522.8580 ext. 222.