A long-time West Shore curling club is grappling with the news that the rink itB次元官网网址檚 used since 1975 will soon be replaced by dry floor.
The Juan de Fuca (JDF) Curling Association has used the rink at the JDF Recreation Centre for 44 years and says it wasnB次元官网网址檛 consulted prior to the West Shore Parks & Recreation boardB次元官网网址檚 decision.
JDF Curling Association president Pei Mei Chia said the club was still celebrating the end of the B.C. U18 Curling Championships when they heard the news.
B次元官网网址淲e just found out yesterday,B次元官网网址� said JDF Curling Association president Pei Mei Chia. B次元官网网址淲e were told itB次元官网网址檚 going to take effect immediately. It was surreal, shockingB次元官网网址�.the day after, IB次元官网网址檓 still reeling.B次元官网网址�
RELATED: B.C.B次元官网网址檚 best young curlers square off at Juan de Fuca Centre
In a press release, the West Shore Parks & Recreation board says the new dry land floor space will be used B次元官网网址渂y the growing number of sports teams, recreational programming, child care and other West Shore user groups.B次元官网网址�
It says the curling rink is booked for only 20 per cent of its available operating hours, B次元官网网址渓eaving the space unused 80 per cent of the timeB次元官网网址� and adds that low participation and usage rates translate to high operating costs B次元官网网址� $11.24 for each person that comes to curl, compared to a $4.26 subsidy per usage of the JDF Arena and $2.07 for the JDF pool.
But Chia says the club, which has a total of 520 members B次元官网网址� 260 who live on the West Shore B次元官网网址� uses the rink daily.
B次元官网网址淲e have leagues every day, Monday to Saturday,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淎nd on Sundays we practice.B次元官网网址�
Chia said that above all, the group is shocked by the lack of consultation.
B次元官网网址淲e were not given any notice, period,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淎nd thatB次元官网网址檚 what weB次元官网网址檙e all very puzzled about. Why didnB次元官网网址檛 they come to us? They did not ask for us any input at all.B次元官网网址�
Chia said there are options, with curling clubs in Victoria and Esquimalt, but sheB次元官网网址檚 concerned that there wonB次元官网网址檛 be space for all the members .
B次元官网网址淚 think a lot of us are going to be put out because thereB次元官网网址檚 only so many sheets and only two clubs,B次元官网网址� she said, adding that for now the group is simply trying to have a meeting with the West Shore Parks & Recreation board.
B次元官网网址淲e have questions and we need answers. We need them to hear what we have to say,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 all been very one-sided.B次元官网网址�
In a statement, project consultant Jonathan Huggett said it B次元官网网址渨as an extremely difficult decision for the West Shore Parks & Recreation Owners and Board of Directors and B次元官网网址渨ith limited resources and a growing population, West Shore Parks & Recreation facilities and programs must be designed and multi purposed to provide for the greatest number of West Shore residents to enjoy a healthy and active lifestyle.B次元官网网址�
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