Warming Centre Available at CMRC in Williams Lake during Extreme Cold Warning

Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:

The City of Williams Lake has opened a daytime warming centre for use inside the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex (CMRC) during this week’s expected extreme cold weather in Williams Lake and the Cariboo region.

Environment Canada predicts temperatures to drop to close to -30C overnight tonight, January 10, remaining well below average until early next week.

The CMRC warming centre will be open from 9 am until 5 pm beginning Thursday, January 11 in the CMRC lobby where a space will be available for respite.

Depending on the duration of the extreme cold weather, the City will adjust or extend its warming centre availability moving forward.

For anyone requiring temporary overnight accommodations the Hamilton Inn Shelter on Sixth Avenue South operated by Canadian Mental Health Association – Cariboo Chilcotin Branch has 15 beds available throughout the winter. 

The Cariboo Friendship Society on Third Avenue South also remains open during the day to allow shelter clients to stay out of the cold. In addition, it offers 30 beds, including a family unit, as temporary overnight accommodations.

Federal $$$ coming for CMRC in Williams Lake

Courtesy of the Government of Canada:

Today, the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada announced a joint investment of more than $5.5 million to support seven infrastructure projects in the Central Interior and Northern regions of British Columbia.

In Williams Lake, this investment will support improvements to the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex. It will enable upgrades to the HVAC equipment, including the implementation of a system that will recover waste heat from arena refrigeration for use in pool heating, dehumidification, and air circulation. These improvements will reduce more than half of the facility’s greenhouse gas emissions and improve indoor air quality to provide safer and healthier indoor recreation options for residents.

By investing in infrastructure, the Government of Canada is growing our country’s economy, building resilient communities, and improving the lives of Canadians.

The Hon. Harjit Sajjan said:

“Upgrading infrastructure with modern green technology reduces energy use, provides cleaner air and lowers carbon emissions. Together with our partners, the Government of Canada is investing today in infrastructure like schools and recreational centres so that residents, communities, and nature benefit for years to come.”

While Margo Wagner - Board Chair with the Cariboo Regional District stated:

"“We greatly appreciate the funding for the green infrastructure upgrades at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex. This supports our continued efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of our recreation facilities, and complements projects we’ve completed throughout our region such as the expansion of solar energy systems"

Snow Removal at CMRC contracted out...?

From the City of Williams Lake:

The City of Williams Lake is inviting local Contractors that are in the business of snow removal for the 2011 / 2012 winter season to submit a bid price on plowing, sanding and hauling of snow for the Cariboo Memorial Complex. At this time the City will only be taking bids to determine the cost effectiveness of contracting out these services and will not be in a position to award until it has been determined that it is cost effective to contract out these services.

Bid sheets can be picked up at the front counter of City Hall from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Mon to Fri, bids will be accepted no later than 4:00 pm on Friday October 21st, 2011 and are to be sealed and marked Snow Removal - Cariboo Memorial Complex.

A mandatory site visit will take place on Monday October 17th at 10:00 am in front of the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex. For further information please contact Kevin Goldfuss Director of Municipal Services at 250-392-1783 or via email at kgoldfuss@williamslake.ca

Councillor Walters on Fitness Classes/Gym Services at CMRC

At the September 14th Central Cariboo Joint Committee meeting - Stefan Hoezler (co-owner of Concrete Fitness) appeared before the Joint Committee to raise concerns about Fitness Programs and the Gym operated by the City of Williams Lake at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex (CMRC).  After Mr. Hoezler's presentation - Joint Committee directed their Staff to report on the various aspects of Mr. Hoezler's presentation at the October 26th Joint Committee meeting

In the meantime, either before and at the September 14th Joint Committee meeting (and still is continuing) - members of WL Council and the CRD Directors for Electoral Areas D, E, and F were receiving letters imploring members of the Joint Committee to reject what Mr. Hoezler is requesting, namely a review of all services offered by the CMRC.  This matter will be considered further, as I've said above, at the Oct 26th 5:00pm meeting of the Central Cariboo Joint Committee.  This meeting will be held in the Rick Hansen Boardroom at Williams Lake City Hall

Now - the fight for fitness programming and the gym at the CMRC has gone onto the Internet and specifically Facebook.

On the "Re-Elect Laurie Walters" Facebook page - Kandee Wilkinson (a CMRC Fitness Instructor) asked the following of WL City Councillor Laurie Walters:

Laurie what are your thoughts about Concrete Fitness taking all fitness away from the Recreation Center, as it is called recreation center for a reason. Fitness is for all no mater age, gender, rich or poor. I don't want it be just concrete monopolizing the fitness market.

Councillor Walters responded with:

People choose to live and move to a community for many reasons. A big reason is the PUBLIC RECREATION available, including the fitness component. The provision of accessible fitness/recreation services is a key component for a healthy community. These include programs for seniors, low-income, disabled, children, minorities and other populations that are not serviced by Private Gyms. The Cariboo Memorial Complex has been in the business of provision of these services for over 20 years, as have most other communities in BC.

It should be noted that local City Councillor Sue Zacharias feels the same as her colleague, Councillor Walters, by empathising the concern of what low-income families would do without the fitness programming/gym services at the CMRC

The real issue is how to ensure the balance for gym and other fitness programs that low income residents can afford without necessarily doing harm to the very businesses that offer similar services and pay a heavy tax load to the CRD for the Recreation Function that makes these low cost fitness  programs and gym equipment available.  This is best served by a review of the entire Central Cariboo Recreation Function since its' creation in 2007.  The time for a review is timely, given the recent desire of politicians to find a long-term solution for the Sam Ketcham Pool and an Indoor Turf Facility.

Let's make sure our recreation programs, in all of its forms, is sustainable, both short, medium and long term - for recreation operations and capital - no matter if you live in the City of Williams Lake or in CRD Electoral Areas D, E or F

But let's be clear - Stefan Hoezler and his supporters (including the local BIA and Chamber of Commerce) has never asked for a complete shutdown of all fitness programs and gym operations at the CMRC.  He, along with businesses that offer yoga and other similiar fitness type programs want to ensure that they can make a living while ensuring that public recreation programming and gym services remains available to those who can't afford to attend a private gym or private yoga or other similar fitness program, outside of the CMRC and on this - if everyone keeps a level head, this goal can be achieved

SBF