Over the next several months the regional district will develop a business case to analyze two service delivery models for managing operations at the Comox Valley Curling Club, as directed last week by the committee of the whole.
The club is under a lease agreement with the CVRD and operates the facility on Headquarters Road. An alternate model considers renting ice time and the rest of the space, with the CVRD managing the facility.
Directors also approved a recommendation to remove Denman and Hornby residents from the service. Further, a risk assessment and cost/benefit analysis will be prepared to further consider engineering options.
The sports centre commission will then consider a capital project for the curling rink in 2014—2018 financial planning discussions.
“I believe this is the right thing to do,” said Area B director Jim Gillis, who foresees the facility producing future Olympic curlers. “It’s one of the biggest sports in Canada.”
The club hosts the B.C. senior championships in February.
Courtenay director Starr Winchester — noting the curling rink has been z since opening in the 1950s — feels it is important to make it a multi-use, year-round facility.
“I think we’re on a good path to make the right decision for this facility,” Courtenay director Jon Ambler said.
Last month, district staff recommended an alternate approval process about a request from the club to borrow $1.8 million to renovate the rink, based on a $100,000 contribution from the club.
The building is plagued by a leaky roof and a failing ice plant. Concrete slab also needs to be replaced.
Minimum repairs are estimated at about $683,000 while constructing a new building would exceed $10 million.
reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com
