Winter’s on its way and the Village of Fraser Lake is gearing up for it by improving the Fraser Lake Curling Rink. Northern Development has approved $30,000 in funding to connect the curling rink’s chilling system to the ice arena in order to provide both rink floors with refrigeration from the existing ice arena chilling system.
The developments to the Village of Fraser Lake’s curling rink will potentially catalyze direct economic benefits for the community. Increased memberships rates, and use of the curling rink amongst the residents in the region will help to provide economic benefits to the local economy. In addition, with the enhancements, the Fraser Lake Curling Rink will have a better ability to host tournaments, which could attract users from outside of the region. The new linked cooling system should be much more reliable and allow the curling club to hold provincial-level curling tournaments and competitions.
Northern Development’s Community Halls and Recreation Facilities program provides municipalities, regional districts, First Nations bands and registered non-profit organizations with up to 50% of a project’s budget to a maximum of $30,000 in funding to improve or expand existing facilities in order to increase the number of events held annually in the community, contributing to service sector revenues in the local economy.
Quotes
“The upgrades to curling rink system is projected to increase usage through confidence in a sustainable ice surface,” says Vern Hillman, Village of Fraser Lake, Works Superintendent. “Tournament, youth and senior curling are three main users that will benefit from this new system”
“The upgrade to the chiller system in the curling rink in Fraser Lake was truly needed as the old plant was certainly near the end of its life. This system is very modern and will ensure the future of our curling club in Fraser Lake,” said Dwayne Lindstrom, Mayor, Village of Fraser Lake. “We have a very large junior curling program in Fraser Lake and this will also make it possible for new and future curlers. We are very fortunate to have funding granted to us from Northern Development for this project.”
“The new system allows our community to continue curling as a sport, which many people are passionate about,” says Jolene Webb, Economic Development Officer, Village of Fraser Lake. “With the upgrade of the chilling system this reduces the carbon footprint of the facility by using the same cooling system in the hockey rink. The connected system will use less energy and reduce the cost of utilities.”
Quick Facts
• Projections forecast incremental revenue increase of $245,588 over five years, which represents a 66% increase over current annual revenues.
• Northern Development has previously supported several curling rink repair and upgrade projects in communities throughout the region including Ashcroft, Forest Grove, Vanderhoof, Taylor and Burns Lake.
• The Village of Fraser Lake has approved $30,000 for the Fraser Lake Curling Rink Improvement project and has been approved for a $30,000 grant from Northern Development.
• This grant will help to replace the existing compressor stage control from the hockey rink ice temperature to brine return temperature control.
• This grant will also help to commission the new installation and start up the curing rink.
• The Village of Fraser Lake anticipates that a fully functional curling rink with an improved cooling system will increase the use of the curling rink and allow the community to host more competitions and events.
• Northern Development has already approved 41 projects through the Community Halls and Recreation Facilities program in 2014, with a combined total funding commitment of $910,402.
Contact
Joel McKay
Director, Communications
Northern Development Initiative Trust
joel@northerndevelopment.bc.ca
1-250-561-2525
Caitlin Hartigan,
Manager, Market Development
Northern Development Initiative Trust
caitlin@northerndevelopment.bc.ca
1-250-561-2525
