Kevin Laliberte
Editor, Smoky River Express

The inherent success of any major, community-based facility fundraising initiative is only as good as the people behind it. Nowhere is that more evident these days than in McLennan, a community which is now preparing to dig in its heels by coming up with effective solutions to help subsidize the construction of a new multi-million-dollar curing rink complex. Additional light was shed on the status of this notable project at a meeting last week involving representatives from NewGen Building Systems Inc., SLR Group, the local recreation board, town officials and members of the curling club. And to suggest the results of that meeting were positively enlightening and productive is overstating the obvious. Wiped off the plate were the seemingly endless signs of continuous delays, procrastination and roadblocks involving the final location of the facility – characteristics which have impeded the progress of this project in recent months. Instead, it was full steam ahead approach with all parties present agreeing, in principle, to locate the proposed complex next to H.W. Fish Arena. In terms of dollars and ‘sense’ this was without a doubt the most logical choice to place the new curling rink, especially considering the obstacles of option number two which involved locating the complex southeast of the ball diamonds. One hurdle representing a significant blocking mechanism at the proposed location was the added cost of bringing in core services – estimated at half a million dollars. And while that may not sound like much in the grand scheme of things to some folks, it boils down to an unnecessary expenditure when you consider the arena block is already fully serviced and ready to be tapped into. Another valid point worth considering, as McLennan Councillor Dwayne Stout so eloquently pointed out, is the value of the land surrounding the old curling rink and ball diamonds. There’s no disputing the logic that its proximity to the lakeshore makes it an attractive location for future residential development as opposed to recreational purposes. Another benefit to having the curling complex located alongside the arena is its visibility and easy access as a centralized location for curling, hockey and figure skating activities during the winter months. More importantly, however, is the added savings to be realized by tying in with the existing arena condenser for shared ice cooling purposes and core utilities. And last but not least is the present age of H.W. Fish Arena. At 30-plus years town officials agree that its just a matter of time – 10 years give or take a couple – before the structure will need to be replaced by a modern facility. That eventual point in time will open the door for construction of a new arena which can be combined with the curling rink as part of a new multi-use complex. Having absorbed all that information, the time has now come for the McLennan Curling Club take a gigantic leap of faith by embarking on massive fundraising crusade to help take a substantial bite out of the associated costs of the proposed new curling rink complex in the community. The one certainty in all of this is that it will take a concerted effort on behalf of the curling club executive, its membership, the community, as well as municipal partners to achieve this dream. It’s time to roll up our collective sleeves and get to work.! Similar to trying to catch that coveted pot of gold which we’ve been told awaits us at the end of the rainbow.

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