Funding request also includes Gore Bay and Western Manitoulin Museum work
GORE BAY – The Town of Gore Bay council has given its approval to apply for funding under the federal Canada Infrastructure Program, Cultural and Recreation Stream under the multi-purpose category for the rehabilitation and renovation of the Gore Bay Memorial Arena and for renovations to the Gore Bay and Western Manitoulin Museum.
“We applied for funding under the CIP program for the arena, and the new roof repairs needed at the museum,” said Gore Bay Mayor Dan Osborne, after a special meeting of council held Monday, October 28.
At the meeting, council considered and passed two separate motions for the two projects.
As had been previously reported, Tulloch Engineering had provided an estimate for renovations at the arena and a new chiller, with a preliminary estimated cost of $618,000 in total. This would include repairs to the foundation walls including replacement of floor slabs, investigation into existing pier foundations, reinforcing the lobby roof ,framing including new roofing and structural upgrades and roof repair where damages at the ice resurfacer and refrigeration plant have been uncovered.
Previously, council had agreed to apply for the funding for the arena under the CIP program and agreed they would ask for financial support from other neighbouring municipalities. However, “we’re making the application for the funding ourselves at this point,” said Mayor Osborne. He pointed out Billings Township council has given its support in principal to providing funding for the arena, and Gordon\Barrie Island council has also agreed to provide financial support. “Burpee-Mills council is working on the numbers, but I’m confident we will get support from the township.”
As well, Gore Bay council passed a motion to apply for the funding under CIP for the renovation to the Gore Bay and Western Manitoulin Museum with a proposed budget of $68,400. The work to be done is to the main roof, ventilation, entrance roof, side roof and eavestrough.
As had been reported previously this year, and at a recent town public works committee meeting, the museum has been closed this summer due to leakage from the roof. The committee noted that overall it was a poor roof design that has caused issues, poor ventilation is an issue as well and eaves need replacing in several areas. The committee indicated that the entrance needs to be dealt with right away and the other items can be dealt with in 2020.
Council, at its special meeting, agreed to, “apply to the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, Cultural and Recreation Stream under the Rehabilitation and Renovation category for the renovation to the Gore Bay and Western Manitoulin Museum with a proposed budget of $68,400.”
