The Qualicum and District Curling Club is 60 years old and still continues to be a fixture in the community.
They just closed out another successful season that saw their membership grow.
Before the club's season ended, they had their equipment reviewed by an ice technician and facilities director. The result reflected a matter the club was not expecting, considering the lounge upgrades it scheduled to undertake this summer.
"It was determined that our plant dehumidifier system needs to be replaced," said the club's finance chair, Stu Shaw, in a letter to the town. "This was something we had not planned for or budgeted and although a surprise to us, it is approximately 25 years old and it had been having some issues keeping the ice humidity in balance."
The dehumidifier is part of the ice plant and a contractor recommended the club repair the equipment as it would not make it through another curling season.
"If it were to break down through the next curling season, it would result in us likely having to shut down for the season," said Shaw. "This would be a huge impact to our club and membership."
The club compared the cost of repairing the dehumidifier against buying a new one. The major repairs are estimated at $31,000 while a new unit is estimated at $35,000, which would go up to $40,000 when the freight cost and installation are factored in.
"The QBCC believes the new unit is the better option with an estimate life span of approximately another 25 years," said Shaw.
The club needs to order the unit now as it takes eight to 10 weeks to get it delivered. The club wants to install the unit this summer.
Funding for the project will be withdrawn from the joint trust account the the QBCC contributes to and is matched by the town.
The town's director of finance, Raj Hayre, indicated there is sufficient money in the reserve funds to finance this expenditure.
The club has requested town council to approve the project and the funds be included when the town amends its financial plan in the fall.
Council endorsed the project.
