The Osoyoos International Curling Club will undergo a major facelift over the next couple of years after club members raised more than $22,000, which was matched by federal infrastruture funding announced last week by Dan Albas, MP for Okanagan-Coquihalla. On hand for the presentation were (from left) club board member Gordon James, Osoyoos Mayor Sue McKortoff, Albas, club president John Katerenchuk and board members Betty Steinbart and Don Peterson. (Keith Lacey photo)
The Osoyoos International Curling Club is going to get a major facelift in the coming months after the federal government provided matching funding as part of its efforts to celebrate Canada’s upcoming 150th birthday.
Last Thursday, Dan Albas, Member of Parliament for Okanagan-Coquihalla, on behalf of Michelle Rempel, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced funding of just over $20,200 to the International Curling Club in Osoyoos.
The funding was announced under the federal government’s Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program, said Albas, the former Mayor of Penticton.
The federal government had announced earlier this year that in its Economic Action Plan 2015, it was going to provide funding for communities to improve infrastructure with the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program.
The federal government has committed $150 million to communities from coast to coast to support improvements to local infrastructure, creating a lasting legacy as Canada prepares to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017, said Albas.
More than $46.2 million of the $150 million in funding was directed to improve infrastructure projects in western Canada, said Albas.
Members at the local curling club had already raised more than $22,000 as part of a plan to conduct eight upgrades of the aging facility over the next several years and the federal government matched those funds, said club president John Katerenchuk.
The Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program will help fund renovations, expansions and rehabilitations to existing infrastructure that provides community and cultural benefits for the public, said Albas.
The program represents one of several infrastructure-based initiatives the federal Conservatives has undertaken to improve economic prosperity across the country, he said.
The Osoyoos curling club plans to renovate the building by installing gutters and downpipes, replacing stair treads, deck and carpet tile and painting and sealing the cement walls.
“With our government’s support, communities across western Canada are seeing improvements and upgrades to vital local infrastructure,” said Albas. “The renovations to the Osoyoos International Curling Club will help further support and promote the rich and diverse culture of this wonderful community.”
Katerenchuk said the funding is very much appreciated and will enable the club’s society to continue to build and maintain a healthy and vibrant international club well into the future.
The fact local members who belong to the curling club stated in their application for funding that they would be willing to do the upgrades and renovations themselves was impressive and did play a role in this project receiving funding, said Albas.
Mayor Sue McKortoff congratulated Katerenchuk and the board for forwarding an impressive funding application and she’s confident the money spent on upgrades will ensure club membership remains healthy for many years to come.
Katerenchuk said club members have identified eight separate renovation projects that need to be completed and said the funding provided by the government will play a big role in ensuring several of them get finished as quickly as possible.
While the funding announcement was confirmed last week, Albas pointed out the money won’t be forwarded to various projects until April of next year.
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
