It may take more than $4 million over the next few years to keep the Nanaimo Curling Centre in game shape.
Funding of $4-5.5 million was recommended over the next five-to-seven years during a City of Nanaimo finance committee meeting on Wednesday, May 21. The money would cover a new roof and concrete slab used to support the curling ice.
The recommendation came after a structural assessment was completed, which incorporated the curling rink's known issues and aimed to identify new ones.
"There have previously been a number of priorities that suit [Nanaimo's] strategic direction and council's decisions better, and that has caused this particular investment to be sat in the backlog portion," said Jennifer McAskill, manager of facility asset planning. "Unfortunately, now it's reaching a very critical point, the roof is actively leaking – it is being managed – but that's a significant investment into a very niche group."
The report stated that the roof is 11 years past its expected service life, and while patching can continue for the immediate future, "each leak allows water to enter the structure causing damage and the potential for hidden risks that could severely impact the structure." The project cost is estimated at $2.4 million and the roof "should be replaced in the immediate to near term."
Meanwhile, the concrete slab used to support the curling ice has several surface cracks, as well as a two-inch slope from one side to the other which staff are using extra energy to mitigate with two extra inches on one side. There is also an active leak in the brine lines that run within the slab. Costs for replacement range from $1-3 million, depending on material used.
Overall, the facility is in "satisfactory condition" and a high-level cost projection for a new, similar-sized ice facility is estimated at $40 million. The report stated there were about 460 members of the curling club in 2023.
Councillors unanimously supported recommending the $4-5.5 million funding.
Coun. Ian Thorpe, who sits as a board member for the 55-Plus B.C. Games, said Nanaimo, which is hosting the upcoming games this September, is unable to host the curling portion because the rink's "antiquated equipment" would not be able to get the ice in and cooled early enough in the year.
"Quite frankly I find that embarrassing that our city is hosting a major event and our facility is not even able to be part of it," Thorpe said. "I know where I sit on this and I would encourage council to start to put this on our priority list and make the necessary adjustments that we need to as far as funding."
Coun. Sheryl Armstrong agreed, adding that curling is a valuable asset as a popular senior sport, and the facility has hosted other events including non-profit groups and weddings.
"We've had provincials held here at different times and I think it's really important to get this fixed properly," she said.
Coun. Ben Geselbracht, while supporting it, suggested further investigation into other uses for the facility when not used by curlers, for a wider use in the community.
"I know this will be very controversial but when we look at the homelessness situation and the need for a resource hub and the current use of Caledonia as the shower program, and it's not suitable for that," Geselbracht said. "Can that space be used for multiple user groups without creating conflict and being able to maintain the services for the curling club?"
Coun. Janice Perrino stated that there was "at least" as many non-curlers as curlers who use the facility, and Mayor Leonard Krog added that he was there recently for a celebration of life.
"You've got to see the quilters there, the place is absolutely jammed to the rafters," Perrino said. "This is a very important facility on so many levels."
