The City of Yorkton is hoping for infrastructure dollars that if received, would help with the Kinsmen Arena replacement.
The City is applying for dollars for the project through investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP), explained Darcy McLeod, Director Community Development, Parks and Recreation with the City at the regular meeting of Yorkton Council Monday.
The $896 million dollar federal program covers four streams of projects, one focused on community, culture and recreation.
鈥淭he City鈥檚 Management group has selected the Kinsmen Replacement Project for application to the Community, Culture and Recreation stream,鈥� said McLeod. 鈥淭his project would include the replacement of the Kinsmen Arena at the Gallagher Centre.
鈥淲ork would include a new ice facility along with dressing rooms, viewing area above the dressing rooms as well as a second floor interior viewing space.鈥�
Councillor Mitch Hippsley questioned if the Kinsmen Arena replacement was an imminent need, as Council had been told at least a 10-year life remained?
McLeod said the 10-year life expectancy dated back to 2010, and while the arena remains useable, how long it remains viable is an unknown. For example, the ice plant dates back to the 1970s.
鈥淲e just know it doesn鈥檛 meet our needs right now,鈥� he said.
Mayor Bob Maloney initially balked at the idea of applying for a project he saw as not an immediate need.
鈥淚n eight years maybe, but I don鈥檛 think that time is now,鈥� he said.
Councillor Randy Goulden noted that federal dollars for recreation facilities is extremely rare these days, so when they are available a municipality should try to access them, especially with the federal and provincial governments picking up 73 percent of costs.
鈥淚 support forward planning and long term investment,鈥� she said.
It was at this point that Maloney said that Goulden鈥檚 view point had 鈥渃hanged my mind on this.鈥�
Council passed the motion to make the application.
