Hopefully the second time’s the charm for Trail to receive a bump of federal cash for facility improvements.
The city was turned down funding for a new skate park near Gyro Park during the first round of Canada 150 Community Infrastructure grants last year - guidelines for the program stipulate submissions must be shelf ready projects to existing facilities. Additionally, approved projects must be materially complete by the end of March 2018.
The current program funds up to 50 per cent of total costs to a maximum of $500,000 for rehabilitation, renovation or expansion of community oriented projects that are noncommercial in nature and open for use to the public.
With council agreeing a new roof for the Trail Memorial Centre (TMC) is a top priority this year - the city is asking the program to fund $490,000 for the project.
TMC roof improvements are expected to near $1 million, including lighting retrofit and insulation, and have been advanced, but not received, capital funding since 2014.
“The project would be structured in a way to meet two of the three priorities identified in the grant application,” explained Trisha Davison, director of parks and recreation. “Recreation infrastructure renewal as well as contribute to green grown economy,” she added. “Despite the level of expense, historical significance of this facility both to our community and the history of hockey, this project is seen as a strong contender for grant funding.”
A second priority project, which was also rejected in the first Canada 150 granting cycle, is $163,000 for expansion of the fitness centre at the Trail Aquatic and Leisure Centre.
The project is shovel ready following a 2014 study that included architecture and proposed budget to expand the fitness centre by 1,000-square feet.
The current fitness centre does not allow space for stretching, core exercise or functional movement training due to space issues related to other equipment needed to meet patron demand during peak usage times, Davidson said.
“Currently, patrons are resorting to using the hallway for these types of exercises, which poses other risks for the facility,” she added. “The expansion would allow the facility to better meet the changing interests and trends in the area of health and fitness as well as create a more enjoyable experience for patrons.”
Canada 150 grants, which are part of the country’s “Canada 150 Celebrates” (150th anniversary of confederation next year) support projects that seeks to renovate, expand of improve existing community infrastructure, with a focus on recreational and clean growth economy, and projects with positive impacts on indigenous communities.