Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad arrived at the Babine Forest Products employee breakfast last week bearing good news for Burns Lake.
As part of the ongoing community rebuilding effort, Rustad announced that the province is chipping in $2.4 million in funding to the approximate $3 million arena expansion project.
Dubbed the Lakes District multi sport facility expansion and healthy living project, it will see the existing Tom Forsyth Memorial Arena and the curling rink combined into a multi sport recreation facility.
As reported in the Lakes District News edition of Nov. 30, 2011, Village of Burns Lake mayor and council chose to proceed with the grant application offered by the Ministry of Community Sport and Cultural Development's community recreation program for the upgrades late last year.
As well as the $2.4 million grant from the province, $392,000 will come from the Village of Burns Lake's capital reserves and general revenue over a three year period, $113,000 from the Regional District of Bulkley Nechako, $40,000 from the Nechako Kitamaat Development Fund Society and $60,000 from Northern Development Initiative Trust.
Village of Burns Lake chief administrative officer Sheryl Worthing said, "Funding has been applied for from other sources and we will continue to look for other funding opportunities, however the facility will go ahead as planned as the core funding has been secured."
Once constructed, the two level multi sport facility will be a 10,000 square foot building that will join the existing arena and curling rink and will contain a squash court, a climbing wall, a children’s indoor play area, a workout gym, a physical therapy area and a multi use area.
Construction of the project is to start in October 2012 and is expected to be completed in March 2015.
Worthing said, “The arena and the recreation centre expansion will be run by the Village of Burns Lake and the curling rink will continue to be operated by the Burns Lake Curling Club.”
According to Rustad, the project will not only create employment, but it will also support healthy family activities.
Worthing said, “All phases of the project will be posted on B.C. Bid, which is an open and transparent process.”
She said, “There will be an emphasis in the tender that local contractors be employed during the construction of the facility. The arena’s original architectural drawings will be submitted to the successful architectural and engineering firm and the design will be upgraded to meet our current needs.”
Mayor Luke Strimbold said, “The expansion of our arena and curling rink to create a new Lakes District multi Sport facility will be a great addition to Burns Lake. This project will create opportunities for training and coaching, provide the community with a meeting space, allow for the development of new recreation programs and improve current programs, as well as provide a venue for all community groups to utilize.”
Mayor Strimbold said, “This project represents another example of all areas of government working together to support the Village of Burns Lake.”
Regional District of Bulkley Nechako chair Bill Miller said, “The province recognizing the opportunity to add to the efforts of our local community will give energy to all of us. The whole region benefits when we come together to make these infrastructure investments in our communities.”
Ida Chong, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development also issued a statement via press release regarding the funding announcement.
She said, “Recreation centres are often the hub of smaller communities like Burns Lake.”
“They provide valuable opportunities for people to get involved in activities that promote physical fitness and strengthen community ties. It’s a priority for the province to promote healthy choices for B.C. families by supporting communities in their efforts to build or upgrade recreation infrastructure,” she added.