COBDEN — An upgrade to the Westmeath Arena has been estimated at just over $7,000.
Bob Grylls and Steve Fleury from the Westmeath District Recreation Association (WDRA) made a presentation at the Dec. 2 Whitewater Region corporate services committee meeting hoping to get a grant to cover the expense.
Mr. Grylls noted the WDRA received a $15,000 grant from the township in 2014 to insulate the walls and then paint lower portion walls of the arena. It’s believed the insulation helped with the fluctuation in temperature, because it now remains constant.
Mr. Grylls said there was only positive reaction from people who came to the arena and saw the changes. There were inquiries as to when the upper walls of the arena would be covered and painted.
The WDRA wants to finish the work to “meet the expectations of people that take pride in their community centre,” Mr. Grylls said.
In a report to the committee, it was noted the estimated cost is $7,759.56 for Part 2 of the renovations.
“I promise there will be no Part C,” Mr. Grylls said.
Councillor Daryl McLaughlin questioned if the positive feedback meant there has been increased use in the arena.
Mr. Fleury said while there has been increased use in the arena, he doesn’t know if it’s related to the renovations.
The WDRA is working on a green plan and “last year was a banner year for us,” Mr. Fleury said.
A water conservation system was installed and the insulation was put up, which helped with the energy costs.
Now, the WDRA wants to protect the insulation that is now on the top portion of the wall by covering it with plywood and painting it, he explained.
When questioned if it was still extremely cold in the arena, Mr. Fleury said yes. The insulation that was installed lowered the fluctuations in temperature, however, due to the narrowness of the arena, it’s not possible to put heaters in for the fans without it affecting the ice.
“What the insulation has done for us, is lowered the fluctuations, so we run with fantastic ice,” he said. “We have good ice, it’s cold and hard. We don’t have a warm interior like Pembroke does who has soft ice. People who play hockey (in Westmeath) tend to enjoy it.”
When questioned if the work would be contracted out, Mr. Fleury said yes. Explaining, he noted, while there are many volunteers willing to help, the type of work, which has a height requirement because it is the upper portion of the arena, makes it dangerous for just anyone who wants to help.
“In this case, there’s a height requirement,” he said. “You can’t put the average guy on a 20-foot ladder and say put some plywood up.”
Councillor Cathy Regier questioned if there has been any fundraising by the committee. She noted in Beachburg, they do a variety of fundraising to help the costs.
Mr. Grylls said there is ongoing fundraising, but most of that money goes to the operations of the facility.
The WDRA does have money, but it wants to keep some reserve funds in case an emergency occurs, he said.
Mr. Fleury said it does have corporate signage on the west wall, which is a fundraiser. Companies pay to have the signs erected on the wall, he said.
“We have no direct fundraising,” he said. “We rely on the generosity of the community for a lot of the costs of plywood and wood strapping, to save money.”
The committee made no decision, noting this request will be discussed at budget time.
