A presentation by young local female hockey players to Clearwater council was instrumental in the council’s decision to go ahead with the addition of five more changing rooms to the North Thompson Sportsplex, according to Clearwater Mayor John Harwood.
Speaking during a sod-turning ceremony held Friday, March 22 to mark the start of construction, Harwood said the girls’ request helped encourage the District to get a $400,000 grant for the project through MLA Terry Lake from the province’s Community Recreation Program.
The mayor noted that the project involves cooperation among School District 73, Thompson Nicola Regional District and District of Clearwater.
“Congratulations, girls, on going to council,” MLA Terry Lake said to several members of the Midget Girl Hawks and other female hockey players present at the sod-turning. “Without you, this wouldn’t be happening.”
Lake noted that sports tournaments have become an important economic driver in Kamloops. He predicted the same could become true of Clearwater.
The changing room project wouldn’t have come together if all those involved hadn’t worked together, said Tim Pennell, Thompson-Nicola Regional District director for Wells Gray Country (Area A).
Two Clearwater-area companies, Borrow Enterprises and Wadlegger Logging, started the project on a volunteer basis last year by helping to relocate the road that runs next to the Sportsplex.
Mierau Contractors Ltd. of Abbotsford won the contract this year to construct the changing rooms plus additional exit doors that are required off the ice surface.
The total dressing room expansion project is expected to cost $710,000.
Substantial completion should be by the end of July and completion by the end of August.