ESTEVAN — Estevan city council approved a $55,000 interest-free loan to the Estevan Lions Club for its outdoor rink board project.
In a letter to city council, club member Travis Olver wrote the Lions Club has been fundraising for several years now to put permanent rink boards at the Rusty Duce Playpark. The club currently has $110,000 and needs $55,000 more to complete the project.
Olver told council the club hoped to have the funds in place and construction complete this year. But increased costs set them back.
The Lions asked the city for the loan to cover the remaining balance. The money would be paid back over the next five years.
Olver noted the club has two major fundraisers each year: the lottery draw, which brings in $20,000, and the golf tournament, which varies but typically fetches $6,000-$8,000.
In a letter to council, parks manager Shannon Wanner said the Lions have been putting up, maintaining and taking down the temporary rink at Rusty Duce Park.
The permanent rink would go in the same place as the current facility. The floor would be sand instead of concreate. The rink would be 140 feet by 60 feet with a 20-foot radius and chain-link fencing around the top to keep pucks from escaping.
Coun. Kirsten Walliser expressed support, but also concern with the potential for cost overruns, and she wanted to know if the club would cover the overages. Olver said he would have to take it back to the club, but they were anticipating a cost of $170,000, so there is a bit of a contingency in place.
