UTICA, ONEIDA COUNTY -- A $6,500 grant from Assemblywoman Roann Destito has critics' claws out, saying the money is pork barrel spending while the state faces a $16 billion deficit. But Utica Curling Club member Peggy Rotton says they should know what the money is going to. Rotton says, "I can't help but feel if they had the opportunity to see these athletes compete that they would support it wholeheartedly."

Curling is a sport where teams take turns sliding heavy granite stones on ice toward a target. The sport is drawing more wheelchair bound participants, even the United States wheelchair team. But there's no way for them to easily access the building. The grant will help fund a $40,000, 60 foot ramp for players to wheel inside. Without it, they have few other options.

Through donations and fundraising in the past four years, the club has raised $20,000.