Mackenzie, B.C.-  Thanks to the  Northern Development Initiative Trust,  Mackenzie will be getting a quarter of a million dollars  to put toward the  recreation centre and arena upgrade.

The $2.5 million dollar project includes :

• The addition of 2 large  ( gender neutral) area dressing rooms, increasing the capacity from 4-6 dressing rooms
• Significantly improved brighter lighting in the arena
• Code improvements to the arena ice  plant and pant room, including a heat recovery system to capture heat to use to heat domestic hot water
• Arena insulation and envelope improvements
• Arena dehumidification system
• Upgrades to arena electrical distribution
• Code upgrade  of the  Complex fire  alarm system
• Replacement of  plumbing fixtures throughout the complex
• Improvement to the pool and library building envelope
• Upgrades to the pool mechanical room and electrical system
• Replacement of the pool disinfection system,
• Replacement of the pool HVAC system with  ability to  recover heat.

“The Recreation Centre is the heart of our community” says Acting Mayor Pat Crook.  “Through the economic downturn of the late 2000’s we were not able to fund the replacement of aging systems which are now failing and are costing us more for ongoing repairs.  The community is now on an economic upswing and the Recreation Centre  is as busy as it was pre-downturn.  The community is buzzing!  “

Acting Mayor Crook says the District of Mackenzie has been successful in receiving provincial and federal funding to support the new upgrades, renovations and repairs proposed and this year Council decided to move forward with a $2.5 capital project.

56% of the  cost of the total  upgrade costs will be covered  by  grant funding including $605,220.00 from the Provincial  Community Recreation Program,  Federal gas tax, and  now, the NDIT.

The  NDIT,   has also  announced:

• $250,000 for a new and improved Chetwynd visitor centre;
• $250,000 for upgrades at Prince Rupert Airport;
• $250,000 for the development of the Port of Haida Gwaii at Port Clements; and
• $169,565 for downtown revitalization in the Village of Telkwa