Some significant upgrades may be seen at the Vanderhoof arena soon if a recreation grant application to the provincial government is approved.
Council members voted to support the grant application under the Community Recreation Program during the last regular council meeting on November 23.
The Community Recreation Program focuses on projects that provide health benefits to the community and that are dedicated to increasing the physical activity of residents.
The deadline for the application is December 28, 2011. If funding is approved, projects must be completed by March 31, 2015.
In the application, the district focused on four areas of upgrade for the arena, including the replacement of the dasher system (boards), the purchase of a new zamboni, the installation of a second dehumidifier and the addition of a gym space to the east side of the arena.
The total cost of the project is more than $650,000. A maximum of $400,000 may be received from the provincial grant. By passing the motion to support the application, council also agreed to commit $263,683 from their 2012 budget to cover the remainder of the capital costs.
The gym addition is estimated to cost just under $377,000, the dasher system is estimated to cost more than $160,000, a new zamboni would cost over $106,000 and a dehumidifier would cost just under $20,000.
Steve Little was the only councillor opposed to the motion because he felt there was not a community need for a gym space at the arena.