Work to shore up the roof of the Rocky Curling Club is underway, after significant structural issues identified in May have left the building unfit for occupancy.
The town of Rocky Mountain House had commissioned Wood Research and Development (WRD) to inspect the nearby arena, however, the Rocky Curling Club decided to piggyback on the inspection since WRD was in town anyway.
WRD’s May 23 report revealed some sobering realities, said Richard Bonneau, president of the Rocky Curling Club.
The inspection revealed there were up to five trusses that needed attention, with one in particular listed as “imminent failure”, with a significant wind or snowfall event putting it at risk of collapse.
With work now underway, Bonneau says the short term goal is to have the trusses shored up in time for the 2025/2026 curling season in the fall— which just happens to be the 65th in Rocky Mountain House. The midterm goal is working to fully repair the trusses, with an engineering report due soon.
“The minimum work to be done is on the trusses,” says Bonneau. “We have to have the trusses done in order to have a curling season this year.”
The Curling Club has committed $215,000 toward the indoor project, although Bonneau says, with more engineering reports and labour costs forthcoming, the total bottom line figure is unclear.
After urgent repair work was identified, the Rocky Curling Club has committed $215,000 to truss work inside the arena. (94.5 Rewind Radio stock photo)
In addition to the truss work, the curling arena’s roof is in dire need of repair.
Approaching its end of lifespan, Bonneau says an inspection of the roof was commissioned, which initially showed minimum repairs about $4,500 would be required to prevent leaks. However, more comprehensive repairs were estimated at $380,000 to replace the entire roof.
To that end, Bonneau says the organization has applied for a provincial Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP) grant.
The CFEP grant provides up to $1 million in matching grants for large projects throughout the province.
Additionally, the curling club has reached out to Clearwater County and the town of Rocky Mountain House for assistance. The town has committed $100,000 for work at the site, with Clearwater County expected to debate the matter July 8.
While it’s still a guessing game at this point, Bonneau says the cost to complete the entire scope of work could be anywhere between $1 million and $1.2 million.
“We had hoped that our 65th anniversary would start a little bit better than this, it has certainly thrown a curveball,” says Bonneau.
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