AMHERST – Out with the ugly old concrete, and in with the beautiful new wood.
Construction is currently under way at the Amherst Curling Club, creating a more accessible front entrance.
“The entrance will now be accessible for people with wheelchairs and anybody who has problems with stairs,” said Peter Rushton, a volunteer at the Amherst Curling Club.
The new wooden stairs and ramp at the front of the club will increase traffic for curling and for various events.
“The new washroom, which is just inside the door, is a fully accessible washroom,” said Rushton.
There is also a new back door for the bar, which will be used for deliveries.
“We extended the bar a little bit into the lounge to make better use of the space we have,” said Rushton.
Work also includes new electrical wiring for the front entrance, the washroom, and for the ice-making equipment.
The new electrical equipment will be installed this week and the club will start generating ice next week.
Completion date for the renovations is around mid-November.
“Construction won’t have any bearing on the ability to go curling once we get the ice in. We’ll work around that,” said Rushton.
The curling rink is celebrating Canada’s 150th birthday this year with a $150 season’s pass for people who haven’t curled in the past three years.
Also, each of the four curling circles on the four ice sheets will feature a face of one of the Four Fathers of Confederation.
The new ice design is donated by the Cumberland County Museum, and a dinner will be held at the club Nov. 17 to dedicate the new design.
They will also have an open house once the renovations are complete, which is expected to be around Nov. 10.
The cost of the new renovations is approximately $90,000, with much of the work, besides electrical and plumbing, being done by curling club volunteers.
The money was provided by five different grants, as well as money raised at the clubs beer garden dance and other donations.
For more information about the Dedication Dinner, the Open House or the $150 season’s pass, call the Amherst Curling Club at 902-667-2667.
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