West Kelowna gets $250K boost from feds toward Jim Lind Arena upgrades
The good news keeps on coming for West Kelowna's planned upgrades to Jim Lind Arena.
Okanagan-Coquihalla MP Dan Albas announced a $250,126 investment through the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund Wednesday. The money will go toward replacing the arena floor, installing underfloor heating insulation, installing a cooling concrete floor and replacing the boards around the ice.
The arena has had two major leaks over the past seven years: Both forced a week-long closure of the facility.
"It is far more cost effective for taxpayers to maintain infrastructure and extend the life of that infrastructure as much as possible, rather than tear it down and try to rebuild," said Albas.
"Facilities such as the Jim Lind Arena are the foundations of our communities."
Last week, Westside council learned the project will cost about $1.1 million: $300,000 less than initially anticipated.
James Alexander Construction Ltd., in partnership with Palladian Developments Inc. is the contractor for the project.
Mayor Doug Findlater said the facility is important to the community.
"We know how strongly its loss would be felt by this community if the ice floor were to fail," said Findlater.
"It's gratifying that our federal partners help us out by recognizing a facility like Jim Lind Arena is critical to our infrastructure."
wpaterson@kelownacapnews.com
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