Lumby Arena Renovations Delayed

Renovations and construction on the Pat Duke Arena in Lumby may be pushed back to later this year as Council and the Regional District explore grant options to maximize the dollars available.

There is about $180-thousand right now, but Mayor Kevin Action says there is a need for a gym or multi-purpose workout room that could also be included it they get enough funding.

“We’re sort of shopping around to see what kind of grants might be out there, checking the cavernous edges of our own budget and coming up with designs and costs to see what that might look like.”

Acton says the design and engineering of that is the hold up right now.

“When you start involving engineering, the cost go up exponentially. I guess that’s the first thing we are trying to nail down is the engineering costs and what that looks like for the different types of buildings before we hire someone to go out and do that work.”

Council and the Regional District both agree a facility is needed for youth and seniors that could be either a gym or multi-use facility.

“You know those two gyms could look like something different but if we can figure out exactly what it is would suit everybody then maybe we can find support for it and make things happen. That’s really what we are pushing towards.”

Acton is hoping other federal or provincial grants could be available to increase the $180,000 they currently have significantly.