Town benefits from Rink Revitalization Fund
Renovation, expansion project also in the works
The Mariner's Centre continues to be the focus for some improvements and upgrades.
In January, the Town of Yarmouth received news that is has been awarded $5,900 as part of the Nova Scotia Government's Rink Revitalization Fund.
Thirty-three rinks across Nova Scotia in need of upgrades and repairs are receiving almost $1 million through the fund.
“Rinks across Nova Scotia are places where people can come together, be physically active and celebrate,” said Pat Dunn, minister of communities, culture, tourism and heritage, in a press release. “Having the appropriate infrastructure helps build that community spirit and encourages people to come out and take part in the many community events these rinks host.”
The Rink Revitalization Fund helps community groups, municipalities and not-for-profit organizations invest in infrastructure to support the sustainability of their facilities, the release noted. Rinks include curling clubs, arenas and permanent outdoor rinks that are open to the public.
The types of projects receiving funding include purchasing a score clock, installing accessible entrance doors, upgrading refrigeration, foundation repairs and replacing rink board glass.
The money awarded to the town will be used to replace an important piece of audio/ video equipment at Mariners Centre used for broadcasting events live to the public, the release said. The funds will also see water bottle filling stations installed, similar to filling stations used at Mariners on Main.
The owners of the community hub, which houses a double rink, also have some plans to add a pool and a fitness space, an initiative Mayor Pam Mood says will come with an investment of more than $30 million.
“It's no small project,” said Mood, noting the partners are preparing funding applications for the provincial and federal governments.
The Town of Yarmouth and the Municipality of Yarmouth jointly own the community centre facility, and the ownership group is about to grow.
“The Town of Argyle just passed a motion to become owners as well,” Mood told the Southwest Wire recently. “That's helpful for funding applications to the province and federal government because we're all in this together as a county.”
“They (now) get a say at the table, and they're big users,” the mayor added. ”The town right now uses it the least, but we'll all be using this once it's up and running, but we're a couple of years down the road.”
In a related funding development, the Town of Yarmouth received word that Mariners on Main would receive funds through the Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF).
A media release offered details on funds totalling $694,263 through the CCRF for nine projects in southwest Nova Scotia, one of them supporting Mariners on Main.
Of the total, the Town received $226,250 to be used for repairs and upgrades to the former YMCA building on Main Street, now operated by the Yarmouth Mariners Centre.
In addition, the Yarmouth Farmer's Market received $34,465 to upgrade the market barn and gallery buildings to improve accessibility, heat retention and signage.
The Yarmouth County Splash Park Committee was also awarded $75,000 toward construction of a new accessible community splash park at Mariners Centre for people at all levels of mobility.