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New curling, ice surfaces to be joined with existing rec. facilities

“There are really exciting opportunities in this project” Amy Kormarniski, co-chair of the fundraising committee
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Preliminary plans for the new NexSource Centre were unveiled during a community barbecue near the site of the enhanced recreational complex. Included are a five sheet curling rink

Plans were unveiled and fundraising success celebrated during the NexSource Centre Reveal Party at Railway Park Promenade, last Wednesday.

The committee raising money for Sylvan Lake’s newest recreational complex, announced over 60 per cent of the target $2 million goal already raised through various corporate and personal donations.

The overall project is estimated to cost between $20 and $25 million with about $13-18 million borrowed. Another $4 million will come from a recreation levy on property tax bills, Money collected through that has been building for several years. The town also projects using funds from other levels of government and adjacent municipalities.

The ‘reveal’ was the first look the public had of the project which includes a five sheet curling rink, new ice facility, running track, senior citizens’ centre, connections between the existing multiplex and aquatic centre with the new buildings and much more. It will require closure of part of 48th Street.

The concepts presented were the result of an intensive three day charette process led by CEI Architecture in late May with stakeholders, town staff and councillors.

Mark Hentze, of CEI, explained the seniors’ space has the ability to host 400-450 people in a seated event. There are a series of multipurpose rooms, an indoor playspace area, an area for 350-400 people in banquet style, a lounge area that will connect between the multiplex and curling rink and a walking or jogging track on a second floor around the new ice surface.

He talked about “proper public presence of the architecture so it looks important”. Lots of windows and translucency are included. There are “prominent, obvious entries to the building”. The colour palette has been selected with “sensibility to what the town is trying to do on the lakefront”.

Amy Kormarniski, co-chair of the fundraising committee, said “Sylvan Lake has been waiting for a true and central gathering place to congregate and celebrate ... This community facility will serve Sylvan Lakers for generations to come.”

Snow from the collapse of the roof on the old arena “had hardly settled”, she said, before presenting sponsor NexSource stepped up with a $500,000 sponsorship for naming rights on the new facility. Other business and community members were quick to follow.

Now the committee “would appreciate the help of business owners and community members in connecting with other business and community members” to spur their fundraising efforts.

“There are really exciting opportunities in this project,” she concluded, after announcing their progress towards the $2 million fundraising goal.