Conversations begin on Boreal Recreation Centre

Roughly two dozen residents were at the Meadow Lake Civic Centre last night for the first, of what board members hope to be many, community meetings.

The meeting was in regards to a potential multi-purpose facility called the Boreal Recreation Centre (BRC).

Talks for the centre were happening on and off again for the past 15 years and roughly a year ago conversations started up again. Scott Thompson, Lorraine Cockrum, Tammy Dancy and Peter Mansuy formed the BRC board to oversee the non-profit facility plans.

Thompson said the board feels a facility of this nature will be a huge benefit to the community. It would provide jobs, recreation opportunities, and attract new families to the area.

He added the facility is being built and will operate as a non-profit organization. Thompson said the reason for choosing non-profit is for more grant opportunities.

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Initial plans suggest the space will have meeting rooms, a restaurant and lounge area, a walking path, and opportunities to subdivide the space for specific activities.

Thompson said as of now, there are no plans for a workout facility.

“As we are a non-profit organization we don’t want to put ourselves in a position where we will be competing with existing businesses,” he said. “That being said, there would be the option of approaching existing businesses and offering them rental of space in the facility to expand existing operations.”

He added the designs presented at the Feb. 15 community meeting are open for change as interests arise and needs are determined.

Preliminary estimates have the building coming in at $6 million according to Mansuy who has a background in engineering.

Mansuy said the BRC board is in the early stages of negotiating for a section of land owned by Flying Dust First Nation. The proposed site, if formally signed off on by the reservation, is located directly northwest of the Meadow Lake RCMP detachment.

The BRC board of directors want to see construction start as soon as possible, however, the start and end dates depend on funding.

As conversations continue the BRC is looking for volunteers to assist with design planning, fundraising events as well as sport organizations interested in the space.

Email: colton.swiderski@jpbg.ca

On Twitter @coltonswiderski