The approved 2012 Hope & District Recreation budget offers no increase in funding.
Hope Arena and Dan Sharrers Aquatic Centre will see the district finance $958,599 and the Fraser Valley Regional District Area B $461,229. In order to provide the same level of services, $28,397 has been slashed from the budget through the deferral of new bleacher heaters, reduction of administration supplies and decrease of transfer funds to reserve. Recreation funding will also stay the same in 2012. Hope’s share of the budget is $91,966, while Area A is responsible for $9,162 and Area B $44,296.
The FVRD has approved a two per cent funding increase for Almer Carlson Pool in Boston Bar in 2012, with the budget at $63,176.
Milly Marshall, who manages the rec centre in Hope, said highlights of 2011 included the completion of the arena expansion project, arena floor removal, and lighting upgrades in the Dan Sharrer’s Aquatic Centre.
The new budget has eight capital projects carried forward from 2011, including the replacement of the 3m dive platform, a new mezzanine door awning, and pool deck ceiling painting and corrosion repairs. New items for 2012 are a brine pump, floor machine, zamboni storage, arena elevator replacement, roof snow/slide protection, office space, shower renovations, Qdeck flooring and steam generator. The list also includes roller shades, an upgraded sound system, and cupboards, counters and a sink in the new multipurpose room.
Marshall said most of the projects budgeted are required primarily for safety reasons due to aging infrastructure.