Council coughs up cash, curling can continue

Chris Davis, Pincher Creek Voice

Councillor Anderberg and Mayor Olsen
at last year's Town and Country Bonspiel
C. Davis photo

Rick Visser, a Pincher Creek Curling Club executive member,  appeared before Town Council on Tuesday, October 11 with some good news for Pincher Creek Curlers.

At the previous public council meeting he had more questions than answers about the machinery needed to freeze the ice at the curling rink, but this time he was able to report that damage to the compressor was much less extensive than originally feared, and it was now in good repair.  He said the damaged condenser was not repairable and would have to be replaced.

He also said a skid unit could be purchased to solve the problem, and further indicated there was no reason why the skid unit couldn't be used in a new rink, should one be built in the future, and the compressor could also be reused in that scenario.


Visser said the cost for a new skid unit would be approximately $15,000 plus GST, and the repairs to the compressor were approximately $3000. "$15,000 would get the rink started up again," said Visser. He said it would take 5 or 6 weeks to get the curling rink up and running from the time an order was placed.   "This is the best fix," he said.  "This is the best opportunity to get up and running."

The Pincher Creek Curling Club has planned to charter a bus to the Crowsnest Pass rink for the first two months of the season.  " The Crowsnest Pass has agreed to rent us ice one evening a week," said Visser.

"Does the Curling Club have any money to pay for this?" asked Mayor Ernie Olsen.
"Probably not," replied Visser  "If we spend all of our building fund on repairs that are not our fault we won't be able to save for a new building.  It's $18,000.00 we shouldn't have to spend.  We need that money for matching grants.  We need that to move forward."
"Is there any potential for cost sharing with the Town?" asked Councillor Sahra Nodge.
"I can't say no and I can't say yes," replied Visser.  It would have to go through our executive."

"The bottom line to me is the facility was in the care and control of the Town of Pincher Creek,"  said Councillor Don Anderberg.  "The shut-down procedures were explained and not followed."  In addition to the damaged equipment there was "3 to 4 thousand (dollars) in paint stockpiled for this year, and its gone.  Thrown away.  I think we should step up to the plate," said Anderberg.  "It's not an outrageous figure.  If the new rink never happens, we could probably resell this stuff anyway and get our money back."

Anderberg moved that the Town of Pincher Creek support Pincher Creek Curling Club for $18,000 to replace the condensor and for other expenses incurred.  He asked "Where's the money going to come from?"   CAO Laurie Wilgosh said "I think it would have to come from emergency reserves."

The motion to authorize up to $18,000 to help the curling club passed unanimously.