Community Funding from PRPA adds to improvements to Prince Rupert Curling facility

 A curler at the Prince Rupert Curling Club focused on lining up his shot
(from a PRPA video on recent improvements at the facility)

With Bonspiel season underway at the Prince Rupert Curling Club, members are able to now have a first hand look at some of the recent safety and accessibility improvements to the Seal Cove facility.

The Curling Centre is one of the longest standing recreation spots in the community and has suffered some  challenges in recent years, many of which have now been addressed by way of a partnership between the Prince Rupert Curling Club and the Prince Rupert Port Authority's Community Investment Fund.

Among the key features addressed was an upgrade to the rink's refrigeration system, that following provincial changes to regulations that had made the old system far too expensive to maintain.

Through the Community Investment Fund, the Curling Club was able to replace an old ammonia plant with a new freon plant, a much safer and more efficient form of keeping the ice in place.

“The new refrigeration system is more functional and reliable, and as a result our ice operations have drastically improved, allowing us to provide a much higher quality surface for curlers of all ages and experience levels. Without the generosity of the Prince Rupert Port Authority’s Community Investment Fund we would not have been able to install this new equipment and continue operating Prince Rupert’s sole curling rink.” -- Natasha Lebedick, President of the Prince Rupert Curling Club.

The next step for the Seal Cove makeover was to improve access to the Bob Rudderham Hall, a year round community venue that had prior to COVID hosted any number of community events. 

The upgrades to the 70-year-old structure included a new lift and washroom and kitchen facilities that are wheelchair accessible. These enhancements ensure that all members of the community can safely enter and move around the building. 

In total,  the PRPA funding program provided just over 290 thousand dollars to the modernization projects.

Prince Rupert Port Authority President and CEO Shaun Stevenson noted today of the importance of the Curling centre to the community and the opportunity it offers to grow the sport in Prince Rupert.

“For generations, the Prince Rupert Curling Club has played a significant role in our community’s recreational and social fabric, and we’re proud to help them make their facilities safer and more inclusive. These enhancements to the Prince Rupert Curling Centre will provide more opportunities for people young and old to get some exercise, learn new skills, build friendships, and have fun.”

And towards the future, the funding has also provided some assistance to the PRCC Junior Curling program, that as the Club acquired sets of lightweight rocks, designed to be used by children, with the goal of helping more young people get involved in the sport.  

The update on the work to date at the Seal Cove Curling Centre can be reviewed from this information piece from the Prince Rupert Port Authority.

As well the PRPA has provided a short video feature,  with some background to the changes that have been put in place at Curling Club.

More notes on past investments from the Community Investment Fund can be reviewed here.

A look at the Curling Season to date can be explored here.