Council considers future of curling facility

Council voted 6-1 to approve the city purchase of the building for $870,000 in an effort to provide the club financial assistance on Monday.

Coun. Andy McGrogan voted against the motion as he wanted to explore other temporary solutions for curlers this season.

The money from the city’s purchase will allow the club to make a down payment and the manufacturer to start production of a new ice plant and ice mats which has a total cost of $1.74 million.

At Monday’s meeting council heard a timeline of between 24 and 36 weeks would be needed to install the equipment.

“All of council was really on board with this but we have a responsibility to make sure we understand the numbers,” says Acting Mayor Shila Sharps.

“We understand what this is going to do to the curling club so not just give out the money but understand that if it doesn’t happen in 24 to 36 weeks what does that mean for our community? So it’s not just about money, it’s about making sure our community is being taken care of,” adds Sharps.

Co-chair Cal Hauserman says the club and city still need to hash out the details of the purchase.

“We’ll have to enter into a lease agreement with the city and so there will be a lot of negotiations taking place and so representatives from the board will have to sit down with city officials and figure out how we can get this to work,” says Hauserman.

The long-term future of curling in the city was also under discussion during Monday’s council meeting. This summer city officials are hosting a meeting surrounding Facilities for the Future.

The recreation facility capital plan is looking at building a potential twinned arena in the next five to seven years and council is considering options that could include a new curling club.

Sharps says the capital plan is looking to meet the needs of the next generation.

“Is the community going to be walkable and they want little rinks everywhere or do we want big infrastructure, so these are conversations we really have to have,” says Sharps.

“I think everyone agrees that curling needs to be part of the facilities for the future,” explains Hauserman.

In the meantime, the curling club will attempt to raise the rest of the $870,000 needed for the ice equipment through grants, insurance proceeds and fundraising activities.

If the club is unable to raise the additional funds needed for equipment the city will create a loan bylaw to cover the remaining amount.

The Facilities for the Future meeting will be held on Aug. 28.

by Brendan Miller

Council considers future of curling facility

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