November 2023 - Newsletter

In this issue

The Village of Fraser Lake’s curling rink received a much-needed upgrade thanks in part to a $300,000 Recreation Infrastructure grant. The Village also received a $500,000 capital grant through the Northern Healthy Communities Fund, which NDIT administers on behalf of the Province of B.C. The original rink was the community’s first indoor sports facility built in 1968 and much of the structure had remained unchanged.

This project is a complete renovation from the ground up, including:

  • New refrigeration piping and headers
  • Replace sand floor with concrete slab
  • Water-resistant surface panels
  • New insulation behind the walls and in the rafters
  • Efficient LED lighting
  • 16’ by 80’ storage addition

All original windows and doors have been replaced with new, energy efficient ones and the lobby is updated with new lighting fixtures and flooring. The facility floor will be accessible as there is no “step down.”

“The transformation of our aging Curling Rink into a modern, energy-efficient, and visually appealing multi-use facility is a significant milestone for our community and region. This upgraded facility will not only enhance our economic health but also improve the overall well-being of our residents,” said Mayor Sarrah Storey. “We are immensely grateful to the Northern Development Initiative Trust for their generous support, without which this project would not have been possible. The Village of Fraser Lake extends its heartfelt thanks to the Trust for their invaluable contribution.”

The upgraded building is equipped to function as a curling club during winter months and provides a place for a full array of non-ice season activities such as community and family events, intermural sports and community markets.     

The Smithers Curling Club was recently approved for a $246,795 grant through the Recreation Infrastructure program to replace the ice plant at the club with a newer more efficient model.

This upgrade includes replacement lighting in the rink and ice shed with LED fixtures. The Club will also make minor renovations to the building’s envelope and surrounding brick work. The new plant is expected to be operational before the ice making season in 2024.

“The curling club has a very long and rich history in Smithers providing recreation opportunity and social connection for residents from the very young to seniors,” said Mayor Gladys Attrill. “The chiller replacement project ensures the curling rink can continue to be a key piece of winter recreation for the Bulkley Valley. We are grateful for the support provided through Northern Development Initiative Trust.”

Since late 2020, the Hirsch Creek Golf and Winter Club (HCGWC) has been working to improve its curling facility after operations were suspended by order of Occupational Health and Safety and WorkSafe BC.

Thanks in part to a $147,360 Recreation Infrastructure grant, upgrades will be completed that will allow for the facility to be fully operational.

The project includes the replacement of the ice plant, dehumidifier and lighting to improve overall curling and club operations. 

We currently enjoy four evenings of league curling and weekend public drop-in traffic,” said Iain Illing, president, HCGWC. “This is our rebuilding year with the new equipment providing reliable operations going forward and a push to involve more members of the community in the sport.”

These renovations will allow for the Club to resume all curling activities and programming for youth, adults and seniors in the community.

Tuesday, November 28 | 12:15-1:00pm

Join Northern Development for a virtual ‘lunch-and-learn’ workshop to learn about our Northern Housing Incentive (NHI) grant program. The NHI program is made available to local governments (municipalities, regional districts) to encourage the creation of new market-based housing units in communities.

This workshop is intended for local government staff who wish to learn more about the program in preparation for our 2024 application intake cycles.

During this workshop we will provide a detailed overview of the program criteria, application and decision-making process and will hear some case-study examples on how this program was successfully implemented in Williams Lake. 

Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0ld–hpjMtGdGPN_nuUvH5R7eqhOyhGY4m