News Leader News for February 13, 2007
RIVERSIDE RECEIVES $170,000
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) received $170,000 from the B.C. government's Olympic/Paralympic Live Sites program to convert the Riverside Middle School gymnasium into a state-of-the-art multi-media theatre, announced Small Business and Revenue Minister Rick Thorpe last week.
"This Live Sites award supports the vision and the goal of creating a first-class community facility for which all Princeton and area residents can be proud," said Thorpe. "Working in partnership, the Province and regional district will help create the capacity to take this community facility to a level that will provide great opportunities and experiences for our youth, seniors and community organizations."
"A strong and vibrant community is built on the well-being of its residents, and the embracing of arts and cultural activities plays a significant role in the health of a community," said Gerri Logan, Princeton Rural Area H RDOS Director.
"This Live Sites award will enable us to continue to promote wellness and to celebrate with our province the true spirit of 2010."
The conversion of the 3,300-square-foot gymnasium into a 250-seat multi-media theatre will feature the construction of 24' by 48' stage, the installation of a video projector, satellite dish, 12' by 10' motorized screen and DVD/VHS players.
The goal of Live Sites funding is to help British Columbians unleash the true spirit of B.C. in 2010 by supporting projects that will help build a lasting legacy of opportunity, achievement and celebration in communities all across the province.
Including the Riverside project, the B.C. government has now invested more than $17.5 million in 109 Live Sites projects provincewide.
"The Live Sites awards are all about promoting a lasting legacy and bringing people from all over B.C together to share in the Olympic and Paralympic experience," said Economic Development Minister Colin Hansen.
"Providing the funds to convert the gymnasium to a multi-media theatre will allow people in the community to watch the Games together in a first class venue."
Announced in November 2004, the $20-million Olympic/Paralympic Live Sites program provides up to $330,000 in funding for projects with budgets under $1 million, in communities outside of Greater Vancouver and the Whistler-Squamish corridor.
More details on the program are available through the Ministry of Economic Development website, at www.gov.bc.ca/ecdev.
ARENA PROJECT IS STILL IN WORKS
Arena Manager Lyle Thomas reported to Town Council on February 5 that the arena expansion will continue this spring. He explained that the critical injuries of one contractor last year caused delays in building. Two months lapsed before a replacement contractor was able to complete the work.
The work completed, except for siding, is the new Junior B dressing room, female dressing room, referees room and a new garage for the ice resurfacer (zamboni).
Thomas assured Council that costs were on target and there is approximately $160,000 remaining to complete the expansion plan. This spring, work will begin on an addition to the penalty box side of the arena to create better access, add new penalty boxes, a time box, upper level viewing and a press box.
The existing reflective ceiling is not properly sealed and traps warm air above it, causing ice back-up and subsequent leaks. The ceiling will be extended to all walls and sealed to prevent further leakage. The roof needed only minor repairs and is in good shape.
Weyerhaeuser gave the arena an $80,000 grant, which is over and above the expansion budget. This money will be used to renovate the lobby and washrooms, the change rooms and change room washrooms and some renovations to the mezzanine.
Thomas said when the renovations are complete, the arena will have had a $602,000 facelift, with $432,000 of the cost covered by grants.
TOWN EXTENDS GARBAGE CONTRACT
Town Council has agreed to extend the contract to J-R Contracting and Recycling Ltd. and 582138 BC Ltd. to the end of 2007. The contract had expired. In the meantime, Council will pay an additional monthly rate to each company to cover inflation and contract extensions.The Town will use the added year to review the operation and the garbage pick-up schedules, and will ask Regional District for assistance in preparing a solid waste strategy. It is possible that the review and strategy may result in user pay as an alternative to taxation for the service.
