Repairing or rebuilding the Comox Valley's curling arena will cost somewhere in the range of $683,000 to $10 million.
The Comox Valley Curling Club had asked the regional district board to consider raising $6.5 million either through a referendum or alternate approval process. District staff has recommended the latter if it is to borrow $1.8 million to renovate the curling rink, based on a $100,000 contribution from the club. The district is in the process of developing a business case to analyze two service delivery models for managing operations at the club.
The club, under a lease agreement with the CVRD, operates the facility on Headquarters Road. An alternate model considers renting ice time and the rest of the space, with the CVRD managing the facility.
Tuesday at the regional district board meeting, directors agreed to address several risks identified by Meyers Norris Penny before making a final decision about renewing the facility. Along with an environmental study and operating cost review, the consultant suggests assessing community interest in financing construction costs.
The rink was built in the late-1950s with additions constructed around 1972 and 1988. The building is plagued by a leaky roof and a failing ice plant. Concrete slab also needs to be replaced.
The club, which consists of about 500 members, hosts the B.C. senior curling championships in February.
reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com