The municipality will apply for grant funding for upgrades to the arena and curling rink complex.
The funding, under the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program, is offering $150 million over two years to support projects to rehabilitate existing community facilities across Canada.
Half of the funding comes through the Canada 160 initiative, with the balance from the municipality. Gas tax funds may not be used for the municipality’s contribution.
Municipal staff recommended two projects for council consideration. The projects were upgrades to the arena and curling complex and improvements to the trails on Giant’s Head Mountain Park.
The arena upgrades have an estimated cost of $200,000, while the park improvements have an estimated cost of $160,000, with a portion of the municipality’s funding to come from the Summerland Rotary Club and Giant’s Head Grind.
Council members favoured the arena upgrades.
“It seems to me like the more pressing need,” said Coun. Doug Holmes.
Coun. Toni Boot said the arena and curling complex is used by many Summerlanders as the skating club, hockey, broomball, curling and graduation ceremonies are held there.
“The community uses this facility more than Giant’s Head,” she said.
The upgrades to the arena and curling rink include replacing the arena dehumidifier, replacing the curling ice compressor, replacing the banquet room air handling unit and replacing the lighting over the ice. These upgrades have been identified in the municipality’s five-year financial plan.
The arena was built in 1976.
The grant application deadline is June 17.
If Summerland receives funding through this initiative, the work must be completed by March 31, 2018.