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Canora receives $20,000 funding from FCC for curling rink

The Canora leisure services board received a donation of $20,000 from the Farm Credit Canada (FCC) AgriSpirit Fund on October 23 for its recently-completed lighting project at the Sylvia Fedoruk Centre.

The Canora leisure services board received a donation of $20,000 from the Farm Credit Canada (FCC) AgriSpirit Fund on October 23 for its recently-completed lighting project at the Sylvia Fedoruk Centre.

The funds paid for the removal of the old vapour fixtures and their replacement with LED ice lights over the curling surface.

Aaron Herriges of the Canora Leisure Services Board said the new lighting will provide better vision on the ice for players and fans, and also significantly cut down on utility usage.

This project was one of many selected for FCC funding this year, in part because of its stated intent to reduce energy use, according to a release from FCC.

This year, the FCC AgriSpirit Fund awarded between $5,000 and $25,000 for community improvement projects that enhance the lives of residents or contribute to sustainability in communities, stated the release.

“The FCC AgriSpirit Fund is about helping community-minded individuals and groups undertake projects that enhance the quality of life in rural Canada,” said Sophie Perreault, FCC executive vice-president and chief operating officer. “Our employees care about the communities where they live and work, and we share in their pride and sense of accomplishment by lending a helping hand.”

Over the past 15 years, the FCC AgriSpirit Fund has supported 1,170 projects, an investment of more than $13.5 million, according to the release.

Examples include equipment purchase and installation, energy efficient building improvements and repairs and the purchase of rescue and fire equipment.

The next application period opens in spring 2019. Registered charities, municipalities and non-profit organizations interested in funding can visit www.fccagrispiritfund.ca for eligibility requirements, to apply online and view past projects.

The Canora Leisure Services Board has also been busy with other projects recently, said Herriges.

The Canora Civic Centre Project involved significant upgrades and renovations. The demolition phase included: walls were stripped down in the corridor and dressing rooms, the abatement of all existing flooring tiles throughout the facility, and the removal of four inches of baseboard and lobby partitions.

Repairs were completed on lobby floor joists and support beams were adjusted. The ice resurfacer was professionally serviced and a number of maintenance repairs were completed.

New additions and installations included: installation of Dinoflex rubber floor tiles in the corridor and all dressing rooms; corridor and dressing room walls were painted; new commercial toilets were installed for the lobby; partitions and wall-mounted dispensers and racks were reinstalled, and a new six-inch baseboard was installed in the lobby.

Donations towards the project included $5,000 from the Canora Minor Hockey Association and $1,000 from the Canora Flames rec hockey team.

Herriges said renovation work has been wrapped up on ball diamond No. 3 at the Canora Sports Grounds. Work on the base soil mix was completed along with the addition of two inches of shale top dressing.