January 14, 2018
Province Announces Plans for Major Repairs to Churchill Town Centre Complex
– – –Churchill a Unique, Valuable Asset: Friesen
CHURCHILL—The Manitoba government will fund significant repairs and other necessary restoration work at the Churchill Town Centre Complex and its theatre, Finance Minister Cameron Friesen announced here today.
“Churchill is a unique and valuable asset, not only for Manitoba but to Canada as a whole,” said Friesen. “We are pleased to invest in major repairs to the town centre complex and we’ll continue to stand with the community of Churchill during these challenging times.”
The 225,000-sq.-ft. Churchill Town Centre Complex (CTCC) houses numerous amenities that support daily life in Churchill. It includes the school, hospital, personal care home, arena, theatre, bowling alley, curling rink, child-care centre, gymnasium, radio station, industrial arts centre, library, playground, pool and fitness centre.
Friesen noted the roof at the CTCC will be repaired, with work being prioritized and completed in multiple phases.
“This centre is an important hub for Churchill residents and those from surrounding communities, providing everything from recreation activity to hospital and personal care,” said Municipal Relations Minister Jeff Wharton. “Due to harsh weather conditions and storm damage, extensive maintenance is required to stabilize and protect the centre, and ensure a clean and safe environment.”
Work will also be done to refurbish areas remediated for mould, asbestos and other issues that caused the temporary closure of the theatre. The town uses the theatre for school concerts, graduation ceremonies, lectures and plays. The space is also used for community meetings, movies, guest performances by travelling music and theatre groups, and presentations on polar bears geared to tourists.
The theatre repairs will allow it to reopen, ensure user and employee safety, reduce future energy costs and lower ongoing maintenance requirements, Wharton noted.
“I would like to thank the government for investing in important improvements to the Town Centre Complex,” said Mayor Michael Spence, Town of Churchill. “We’re pleased to be working with our partners to position Churchill for a bright future and investing in the Town Centre Complex that houses the regional hospital, school and other facilities helps us along that path.”
The province will issue public tenders seeking bids to undertake the projects, and the exact cost of the repairs will be confirmed after the tenders are received and reviewed.
Wharton noted the roof and theatre repairs are expected to be complete by the fall of 2018.
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