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LIONS HONOUR THEIR OWN
Mayor Keith Olsen, who was later installed as a new Lion, brought greetings from the Town of Princeton.
"The Princeton Lions Club goes out of its way to do good things for the community and on behalf of the people of Princeton I thank you for that."
Guest Speaker for the evening was Zone Chairman RoseAnne Oliver of Penticton.
Oliver, a Lion for over 15 years, has filled most positions in her local club and at the District level. She reviewed her role and reminded local members of what it means to be a Lion.
Oliver also presented Lions Club President Penny Lott with the Excellence In Club Growth Award.
A total of four new members were inducted. Keith Olsen, Paulette Boyd, Anne Passey and Wayne Passey became the newest members of Princeton's Lions Club.
The 2005-2006 Club Executive was also sworn in.
They include Penny Lott - President, Sandy Harrop - Secretary, Nancy Houben - Treasurer, George Judd - 1st Vice, Matt Delaram - 2 Year Director, Connie Davis - 2 Year Director, Joe Houben - 1 Year Director, Keith Olsen - 1 Year Director, Doris Hamilton - Tail Twister, Wayne Harrop - Lion Tamer and Willi Miks - Past President.
A variety of awards were presented to Lions Club members for their hard work over the past year.
Sandy Harrop, Fern Cote-Goudreau and Doris Hamilton were honoured for their work at the annual Auction with Ed Goudreau thanked for his work during the Flea Market.
All male members of the club received Lions Hats personalized with their names with President's Appreciation Awards to other members.
A special award went to John Sandness (a gift basket of cookies and other goodies), on behalf of other club members.
George Judd and Wayne Harrop also received special awards.
The Lion of the Year Award went to Sandy Harrop and members presented President Penny Lott with a Club Appreciation Award.
Following the award presentations, members and guests retired to the Legion Lounge for some social activities.
ARENA HISTORY INCLUDES PROGRESS
Although only twelve people attended an information meeting June 22nd on the upcoming Arena expansion plan, they were enthusiastic and offered valuable feedback on the project.Princeton Recreation Director Lyle Thomas started the session with a short history lesson.
The first Princeton 'ice rink' dates back to 1917 and sat where the Overwaitea building is currently located downtown. That facility burned down and was replaced by the second ice rink. This one was built where the CIBC is now located on Bridge Street. It was demolished to make room for retail space in the downtown core.
The third ice rink was located at the old Princeton High School complex, where Princeton Plaza now sits.
A fourth facility was built in 1961 at Riverside School. It had heated seating for 400 and was demolished when the current arena complex was being built.
The existing building officially opened on July 8, 1974 and cost $330,000 to build. Of that cost $100,000 came from a Recreation Grant, Newmont Mines and Weyerhaeuser both contributed $15,000 each and the remaining $200,000 was borrowed through a referendum.
"The current building is overall good. There have been many upgrades over the past ten years including a new sound system, new compressor, a new office and a new resurfacer."
The arena expansion project originally started as a quest to repair a leaky roof. At the time the Arena Board also decided to look to future needs while addressing the roof repair.
"The expansion plan has been on the table for the past six years," Thomas said.
The Arena Board started to build reserve funds and eventually set their sights on 50/50 matching funds through Olympic funding programs.
Thomas credits Similkameen Valley EDO Michael McLaughlin as being instrumental in pushing the Board to the direction of an under-utilized Infrastructure Grant Program which features a two-thirds to one-third matching fund formula.
Following a short time line to qualify for the program, Princeton was granted a total of $352,000 in the form of the two-thirds grant. The Regional District kicked in $100,000 and Town of Princeton added $76,000 for the balance of the one-third matching amount. That left a total of $528,000 available for the roof repair which became a roof repair and arena
expansion.
"It's way above me and above the Arena Board so we decided to enlist on some outside help," Thomas explained and introduced Architect Bruce Carscadden and Bill Webster of Provincial Environmental Recreation Consultants.
Carscadden outlined a variety of steps required to follow in the development of the project.
The projected timeline contains two parts. The design and drawing part started this month with the project definition. Design development will take place in August with permit applications in September. The tendering phase starts in October.
The second part of the timeline is the construction phase which will begin in November with the pre-engineered stage. Interior Fit-up will be in December with occupancy beginning in January 2006 and completion of the project set for February 2006.
Carscadden also explained budgeting for costs estimated at between $175 and $200 per square foot would depend on the extent of the project (the details of what will actually be done) and the quality of products used.
"With community support, limited finishes, pre-engineered sheet building compounds, and salvaged materials a cost of $50 per square foot is being targeted."
Bill Webster then facilitated a short session where priorities were set and the expansion project was more clearly defined.
Thomas pointed out the existing design was a "shoot for the stars" concept and was basically a guideline to start.
"If we have to give and take, what are we willing to give?" He asked.
Webster addressed issues of concern for the Princeton Posse hockey club as well as Princeton Figure Skating Club and the overall project ended up being scaled down slightly.
Priorities were set which will see the leaky roof the first issue addressed.
Second priority is the first level addition which would see new change rooms (Posse, female hockey players, referees) and a new ice resurfacer garage.
The expansion out behind the current press box and penalty boxes would be the next move to include extra bleacher space.
The fourth priority would be the new press box and audio/visual room above the new bleachers.
The final step, if possible, would be the second floor over the new change rooms and ice resurfacer garage.
Future public meetings will be held to keep residents updated.
