Red Deer Curling Centre has dropped plans for a new rink and will look at a multimillion-dollar overhaul and expansion of its current facility.
The club has been looking for some time at building a $14.4-million, 12-sheet facility in Clearview North to replace the 57-year-old eight-sheet downtown rink that is showing its age.
Lyn Radford, of the club’s building committee, said they are now hoping for a project in the $4 million to $5 million range with at least two additional ice sheets and a “good possibility” for four. The project will likely involve adding a new section to the back of the rink, as well as extensively renovating the front.
Curlers rethought their plans after working with city staff and reviewing plans for Rotary Park, which envisions the area turning into a recreational hub for the city.
“We started thinking is it in our best interest to be up there or are we better off to be down and remain where we are in an area that is devoted to recreation,” said Radford on Thursday.
“(The Rotary Park plan is) still in the draft form, but it looks like it’s a lot more workable for us.
“It also allows us to go a little bit quicker on the project.”
acould start this spring and the facility could be ready for the start of 2011.
City council previously pledged $1 million towards a new curling centre and councillors will vote on Monday on whether to direct that cash towards a renovation project instead.
A report to council from Recreation, Parks and Culture Department manager Greg Scott says the curling centre decided to stay put following an “extensive financial review of the project, including both construction and servicing costs.”
Scott says the renovation presents the opportunity to create a year-round amenity and city staff will work with the curling club to ensure their plans fit the Rotary Recreation and South Area Site Concept Plan.
“A renovated curling centre in the downtown, central to hotels and public transit, will help revitalize the downtown area and attract new visitors to our community.”
The curling club’s building plans suffered a setback last year when it failed to land a hoped-for $5.6-million Building Canada grant, which Radford admits was a disappointment.
Also factoring into the decision was the eventual cost of maintaining a new facility.
“It’s easy to build things but you also want to be able to sustain them,” she said. “So you have to look at all those factors.”
Radford plans to make a presentation to council on Monday.
pcowley@www.reddeeradvocate.com
