The Cariboo Regional District (CRD), alongside the District of 100 Mile House, is committing funding towards and outdoor rink design for 100 Mile House.
In a press release detailing board meeting highlights on June 18 and 19, the CRD stated that, alongside the District of 100 Mile House, the CRD was "committing $30,000 towards the costs of preparing detailed designs for an outdoor rink at the South Cariboo Rec Centre in 100 Mile House."
They add that the design is being pursued by the 100 Mile Outdoor Rink Society, which is also raising additional funds to support the project.
In an e-mail to the simplymastery, chief administrative officer of the District of 100 Mile House Tammy Boulanger, said the decision to support the project financially was made with several parties involved.
"The decision was made collectively between the 100 Mile Outdoor Rink Society, South Cariboo Joint Committee and further endorsed by the Cariboo Regional District." Boulanger wrote. In addition, she stated that the South Cariboo Joint Committee had already committed half a million dollars for the project and has supported the society.
The press release finally states that a conceptual cost estimate identified total project costs for the rink slab and footings of the outdoor rink will be around $2.82 million, with future phases such as a roof structure and change room increasing costs by an additional $2.85 million if pursued.
Boulanger wrote that the design features that are prioritized are a basic slab, footings, board, roof and washrooms.
In the past, there had been a temporary outdoor rink which operated on the site of School District 27 (SD27) tennis courts on Cedar Avenue - but whilst it was successful, it had its challenges. The idea of a permanent outdoor rink in 100 Mile House dates back to 2023, when a site west of the South Cariboo Rec Centre was identified as a suitable location during a meeting of the South Cariboo Joint Committee.
Earlier this year - on May 2, directors reviewed a schematic design from Blue Green Architecture alongside associated costs - as well as other design drawings by Quesnel-based Vision West Design. The estimated cost was $1.4 million, however the figure was disputed by Mayor Maureen Pinkney - citing that it did not include the Zamboni room or washrooms.
"The committee had already obtained a preliminary conceptual design by BlueGreen Architecture and costing from LTA, the costing was more than what the committee was agreeable to. The SCJC (South Cariboo Joint Committee) had previously budgeted $500,000 towards the project." Boulanger wrote about additional problems with the design cost.
Boulanger also said the outdoor rink society is looking to reduce costs.
"The outdoor rink society will be working with their own architect to complete a basic design in hopes of lowering costs," wrote Boulanger.
Boulanger noted the next steps regarding this project will be for the Outdoor Rink Society to bring the information back to the committee at a future meeting.
"The SCJC envisions this project as a multi-user facility providing an area for a variety of groups to utilize year-round in a location that is considered to be the recreation hub of the South Cariboo," Boulanger wrote.
With files from Fiona Grisswell.
