Tumbler Ridge Rec Centre Revived From Near-Death
Prince George, BC – Officials were on-hand for the grand re-opening of an important piece of infrastructure in Tumbler Ridge yesterday – the community’s recreation centre…
The aged building underwent a major overhaul that included upgrades to its wooden structure, installation of rain screening, and the replacement of inefficient windows, frames, and doors, thanks to funding from all three levels of government. Ottawa provided $1-million dollars through the Recreational Infrastructure Canada program, while BC contributed more than $690-thousand-dollars through its Towns for Tomorrow projects, and the District of Tumbler Ridge rounded out funding.
At yesterday’s ribbon-cutting, the MLA for Peace River South, Blair Lekstrom, said, "This is a great example of how partnerships between all levels of government can work for the benefit of all."
"The recreation centre is a central feature in this community," said Lekstrom. "As a gathering place for families and a hub of activity."
Tumbler Ridge Mayor, Darwin Wren, said, "The timing of the programs could not have come at a more opportune time, as the envelope of our Community Centre was failing to a degree that it would have soon become dangerous."
Prince George-Peace River MP, Bob Zimmer, said, "Having worked on the original construction of this facility with my dad, I am proud that our government has delivered on this important project for Tumbler Ridge."
Comments
The town was built by the Province just over 30 years ago. To read that the building did not incorporate a “rain screen” is a travesty. Glass in windows I can understand replacing in order to save a bit more energy since glass quality has changed over that time. But, again, glass sitting in thermally broken window sections available at the time and predominately used at the time in commercial buildings should not have to be replaced 30 years later.
Again, we are seeing poor specifications, perhaps, likely poor construction supervision, with probable poor maintenance.
As we can see, another example of our crumbling infrastructure which really should not be happening.
Exactly, Gus. A well constructed building envelope should last indefinitely, with maintenance. It brings to mind a controversial building right here in good old P.G, the cop shop on Brunswick. Good maintenance would have assured no complaints from occupants regarding ventilation, mould and leaks. Makes me wonder if expensive long term maintenance was deliberately ignored in order to reinforce the need for new quarters. There is nothing in that building that could not be repaired or replaced, the shell, or envelope, is still sound. Additional office space could have been located on the upper floors that were part of the long term plan in the mid 1970’s.
metalman.
A whole lotta vote buying goin on!
I’m happy to see vote buying money going to something that gets people up off their butts and up from the keyboard.
What is this ‘maintenance’ that you speak of? Never heard of it.
Seems like a lot of announcements lately. Election coming up?????
Aging (sp?) infrastructure is a national pass-time it seems. Is it the new way of doing business across the country – throw mega bucks into new, bigger and better mega projects and ignore existing, even the most basic (buildings, roads, parks, etc)? Follow the dollar…..
Zimmer must have been older than me to have worked on it, but I can say I took the first swimming lessons ever held at the Tumbler Ridge pool as a kid. It was the first thing built in the town when their were no homes yet only RV camps with thousands of people in each one.
I remember it as the last great gold rush town at the time… seemed what it must have been like anyways. Probably never see anything like it again in our lifetime.
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