An ask of support to help the Merritt Curling Club fix their leaky roof was welcomed kindly by city councillors at Tuesday’s council meeting.
Recreation and Facilities Manager Sky McKeown approached the mic to ask that council consider matching a TNRD and Curling Club funding of $40,000 for the repair, all of which would be gas tax funded.
The Curling Club is currently maintained, owned, and operated by the club itself. The city owns the land it stands on.
The original building was built in 1959, and renovated in 1972.
“It’s home to various curling leagues, it’s home to various competitions throughout the year…they are a very organized bunch, and a passionate bunch,” said McKeown.
“It’s not only about the curling, it’s a social event, and about being together.”
The financial commitment would only go through if the club is successful in obtaining the provincial matching grant that they are applying for.
The $120,000, of which a third would be provided by each of the city, TNRD, and the curling club, would be used to apply for the provincial government to match: for a grand total of $240,000, a number that McKeown said should be sufficient to fix the roof that is constantly in a state of disrepair.
McKeown told council that the longer the club waits to fix the problems, the more costly it would be, and could cause problems for the city since it owns the land.
Council seemed to be in quite positive support of the idea.
“The club is always looking to bring young people into it, and keep it going,” said Councillor Kurt Christopherson.
“…I am very much in favour of it.”
Councillor Melvina White echoes Christopherson’s sentiments.
“I’m in favour of it as well. Especially if we don’t repair it, the city will be hung with it in the end anyhow, and it’s going to cost us a whole lot more than this. So I fully support it.”
Mayor Linda Brown acknowledged how poor the roof’s condition is, constantly in a state of roof leaks and possibilities of both rot and mold.
“It is in disrepair. It’s not a matter of if it goes, it is already at its end.”
The recommendation was carried by council unanimously.
