The city of Coquitlam will begin renovations to convert the ice at the Coquitlam Curling Club to a general purpose arena shortly after the last rock is thrown on March 21.
In a report presented at Monday’s council-in-committee meeting, the city’s general manager of parks, recreation and culture, Raul Allueva said the $2 million project is proceeding to tender quickly so work can begin to ensure the arena is ready for September.
That work includes the installation of new dasher boards and glass and the relocation of the skate shop. The construction of four change rooms with washrooms as part of a small extension to the building is expected to be completed in October. The city will also acquire a new ice resurfacing machine for the arena, which will become the third general purpose rink at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex.
When it’s completed, the new arena will accommodate all of the city’s school programs, skating lessons, as well as drop-in skating as “these do not require spectator seating,” according to the report.
In Nov., 2016, Coquitlam council initially approved closing the curling club at the beginning of the 2017/’18 season because it needed the ice time for its minor hockey and other skating programs. But the city’s curlers said that didn’t give them enough time to work out a merger with the Port Moody Curling Club so it could accommodate its 365 players. So, last April, that deadline was extended to the end of the season.
Earlene Graham, the Coquitlam Curling Club’s president, said the reprieve season hasn’t been easy as about 100 curlers have already scattered to other clubs in anticipation of the closure.
“We’ve gone from hostile to resignation,” said Graham of council’s decision.
But this past weekend the club hosted a celebration of its 55 years in the community with a banquet, brunch and tournament.
“We had a lot of laughs and memories,” Graham said.
The event was particularly poignant as one of its own, 18-year-old Zachary Curtis, was part of the team skipped by Tyler Tardi, out of Langley/Royal City curling clubs that won the men’s world junior championship in Aberdeen, Scotland, on Saturday.
Graham said the club’s junior programs will continue at the Port Moody facility.
Dave Parsons, a past president at the club, said Curtis is just the latest in a long history of top curlers with a connection to Coquitlam, including former world champions like Kelley Law and Brent Pierce.
“It’s a great organization,” he said. “People work hard.”
Graham said that work ethic will continue as the club’s curlers migrate down the ridge to Port Moody.
“Curlers in general are trying to roll their sleeves up and get this done as best they can,” she said.
In his report, Allueva said converting the curling club’s ice will result “in significant cost savings,” as it will allow the city to relocate hockey and skating programs currently being held on ice time the city contracts to use at Planet Ice.
