Parksville will look into using the curling arena as a summer cooling space for people looking to get out of the heat.
The curling rink does not have ice in place during the summer months and could provide a space while other facilities are fully programmed, according to a presentation by director of finance Jedha Homes during council's Nov. 4 meeting.
The estimated cost of $75,000 would not necessarily need to be covered by the city, according to chief administrative officer Keeva Kehler.
She added the figure is a rough estimate that has to do with making sure there is adequate air conditioning in the building and may be eligible for grant funding through the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness and the Union of B.C. Municipalities.
“If council likes this idea, we would discuss with the curling club society as part of our renewal of their lease and then look at basically funding that through the provincial ministry," Kehler said. "So we believe that we can get funding to create cooling and warming spaces from the emergency management ministry."
The curling club's lease expires in 2025 and the cooling space idea could be included in the renewal discussion, according to Holmes.
When asked if the arena could also be used as a warming centre in the winter, Kehler said the building is fully occupied in the winter months.
“That has been our challenge in trying to support our social service agencies," she said. "We don’t have buildings that are not fully programmed and so it’s almost impossible to pivot with no notice for emergency purposes."
There is no provincial regulation for an extreme heat event, but the guidance is two consecutive days above 29 degrees Celsius, with night-time temperatures above 16 C. A provincial declaration triggers a response. Last summer the Parksville Civic and Technology Centre and the Parksville branch of the Vancouver Island Regional Library served as cooling centres.
Council will have an opportunity to vote on the proposal later in the financial plan process.
Ownership of the arena was transferred from the RDN to the city in 2021.
