A A

MEMBERTOU, N.S. —

More than 50 women in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality are asking themselves one question: Where are all the single men?

Kim MacDonald, owner of the Queen of All Hearts Dating Services, had no choice but to cancel speed-dating events organized for the Membertou Sport and Wellness Centre last week after getting an overwhelming response from women but hardly any replies at all from men.

But she’s not giving up playing matchmaker. Instead of finding matches for Valentine’s Day, she now hopes to help bloom some summer romances by rebooking the speed dating events for May 31 and June 1.

“The women who had signed up were really disappointed when I had to cancel it, so I’m trying it again,” she said. “I’m a hopeless romantic, that’s just who I am.”

MacDonald, from New Waterford, had organized five speed-dating events for different age and gender categories, including 19- to 30-year-olds; professionals ages 30 and up, same-sex males, same-sex females and golden years seniors.

“I’m a hopeless romantic, that’s just who I am.” — Kim MacDonald

MacDonald said in the professionals category, 44 women purchased tickets compared to six men. In the golden years category, she had nine women and one man.

The women were given the heads-up early on that there was a lack of men purchasing tickets, she said.

“The women were really attentive, checking in every few days to see how many men signed up.”

As the event neared, MacDonald even changed tickets to half price for the men, after consulting with some of the women ticket-holders to make sure they were okay with her doing that. She said the ones spoken to were all for trying to get more men aboard.

“I did it as a promotion to try and get more guys, and then more women then signed up!” she said, laughing.

MacDonald said this experience has shown her the event is worthwhile to organize, because there are a lot of women looking to meet men.

The only difference in the categories overall was in the 19-30 age group where eight men signed up but no females did.

Ticket sales for both the all-female category and all-male category were low.

“I will be trying them again, though.”

The speed-dating event is what MacDonald describes as a social night out that people can attend in comfort and with no pressure — it’s simply a chance for a lot of quick interactions with other single people. With the women/male category for example, the women remain seated and every five minutes, after a bell rings, the men move up a table. Everyone attending keeps their own private notes and at the end of the night submits a card on who they are interested in getting to know better. MacDonald looks for matches and contacts those involved to share contact information.

MacDonald said hopes with more time to promote the events, more men will sign up this time.

“I’m opening it up to men first and then to everyone,” she said.

“We know the women are going to sign up — they are waiting for the new dates — and we don’t want the women to be disappointed twice.”

MacDonald said she will announce the new location at a later date. Tickets will go on sale April 1 on www.eventbrite.ca.

She is also looking into the possibility of selling tickets locally, including at Cape Breton University for a few days, to allow more payment options. Anyone interested can check out her Queen of All Hearts Dating Services Facebook page.

In the meantime, MacDonald said, she’ll continue other dating services she’s working on, including organizing mixers where many potential matches will show up.

She also co-ordinates dinner dates and through her life coach certificate and counselling certificate from the Maritime School of Social Work, offers sessions on support and encouragement.

Related:

Speed dating coming to Membertou Sport and Wellness Centre

Make your Valentines shine with colored foil