Burns Lake's new multi-use facility was opened up to the public last Friday, May 30, just over a year after breaking ground on construction of the addition to the still named Tom Forsyth Memorial Arena.
The $3 million project will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the weekends.
The Village of Burns Lake received a $2.4 million grant from the provincial government to cover the majority of the costs for the project.
The other $600,000 of funding came from the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako, Northern Development Trust Initiative, Nechako Kitamaat Development Fund and from the Village of Burns Lake capital reserves.
The new facility offers a variety of features, including a 20-foot climbing wall, a squash and racquetball court, a fully equipped fitness gym and two multi-use rooms that will be used for various village recreation programs, as well as being available for rental.
Sheryl Worthing, Chief Administrative Officer for the village says right now the project is under budget, but that it could change.
"Currently we are not over budget," Worthing said, "the project is not complete. We haven't made final payments to the contractor and there are still some loose ends to finish up." There are currently two full-time and one part-time employees at the facility.
Naming the new multi-use facility is still up in the air.
At the village council meeting last Tuesday, Mayor Luke Strimbold said that the naming for the multi-use facility has been narrowed down to the top four submissions.
The four names are Burns Lake Multiplex, Burns Lake and District Multiplex, Lakeside Multiplex and the Tom Forsyth Memorial Multiplex.
Voting can be found via the Village's website at: office.burnslake.ca and ends June 4.
Annual passes are available for $320 for adults, $300 for youths and $240 for seniors, or single admission passes can be purchased for $5.25 for adults and $4 for youths and seniors.
Other membership passes that can be purchased are one month and three month passes.