Rec centre users will have to wait a few more weeks to strap on their skates in Gibsons.
The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) announced this week that the official opening of the Gibsons and area community centre will now be March 29 instead of the planned opening tomorrow (March 15).
In a press release issued by the SCRD on Tuesday, they said due to the number of highly specialized components in the facility, such as the racquet ball and squash courts and the extreme shortage of skilled and general tradespersons in B.C., completion of the facility has been delayed.
In a follow-up interview Wednesday morning, SCRD general manager, community services Paul Fenwick expressed the SCRD's disappointment in not being able to open up on Saturday as originally planned.
"Basically a whole bunch of little things that were unexpected came up," said Fenwick. "We have some delays in getting some things installed in the bathrooms, delays in specialists to complete the interior of the squash courts and all that work is currently being done in the lobby, so obviously that is not finished yet either. There are also some delays in getting in the dasher boards around the rink and that's intricate work."
Fenwick also said there was a delay in getting the chiller to start the ice. He said he didn't know why that happened, but did say the ice was going in as he spoke to Coast Reporter on Wednesday morning.
"I haven't heard of any problems with our user groups, but I'm certain they are disappointed just as much as we are," Fenwick said. "Our recreation staff is doing everything possible to make sure all our user groups needs are met at the arena in Sechelt. In the big picture, when you compare this project to other construction projects in the Lower Mainland that have gone way over budget and have experienced a ton of delays, we're doing very well overall in today's construction climate."
The official opening ceremonies will be at 11 a.m. on March 29 followed by free, family fun events, demonstrations and tours between 1 and 4 p.m.
