The Drumheller Curling Club announced on Wednesday, March 9 it will be looking to find a new facility to call home as the Town of Drumheller will not be renewing the club’s lease beyond June 30, 2022.
This decision was presented to the club after an inspection of the current facilities discovered health risks along with significant infrastructure repairs to bring the facility up to code.
“Youth need something in town for winter,” Drumheller Curling Club President Debra Walker told the Mail. “It’s important for youth in the community to have recreation.”
She says the club has previously approached other local clubs and organizations about partnerships, including the roller derby and golf club; to date, a partnership has not been successful, though Ms. Walker says the club is willing to work with other organizations. Ms. Walker adds if the curling rink had a “proper floor” the facility could be used year-round for multiple purposes--from markets to archery and roller derbies--and Ms. Walker says it is disappointing the facility has been allowed to get into such a state of disrepair.
The facility was originally built in the 1950s and a new rink has been in discussion for many years. A feasibility report on the club and facility, along with designs for a new, fully-accessible rink was presented to the town in February 2018; estimates for this new facility, at the time, were between $5.6 million and $8.4 million, and there was talk to include a new rink as part of Phase 2 of the Badlands Community Facility (BCF) construction.
However, due to ongoing flood mitigation work which is impacting the proposed area, it is unknown whether this will be able to move forward.
Current estimates for repairs to the existing facility are estimated at around $1 million, with about half of this required for roof repairs alone. The facility would also need to undergo mould remediation, electrical and plumbing upgrades, and the removal of lead paint.
These repair amounts do not include any improvements for either ice or aesthetics, and the release states it is possible the actual cost could increase if additional issues are found once walls and other structures are opened.
Repairs would also “provide a limited life extension” for the facility.
“What we really need, though, is a matter of accessing large grants,” she says.
In a press release, the Town indicated it is willing to work with the club to obtain federal and provincial grant funding and provide Town-owned land for future development.
Ms. Walker says the club currently has “several hundred” regular members, though these numbers do not include those who attend Friday fun nights and bonspiels or facility rentals.
“We understand that this is upsetting to many members of our community,” Director of Infrastructure Services Dave Brett stated in the press release. “Restoring the current building is not a viable use of public funding, and the ideal outcome is a new facility for Drumheller Valley residents and curling enthusiasts to enjoy.”
The club will be holding a special meeting open to the general public on Thursday, April 7 at 7 p.m. at the curling rink.
