City receives funding to create multi-purpose space in old library

For Immediate Release

Trail BC - The City of Trail is very pleased to announce it is receiving $672,000 in funding for the Trail Memorial Centre – Old Library Retrofit project from the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program - COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream (CVRIS) by the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia. Canada is contributing $537,600, and B.C. is contributing $134,400.

The funding will go toward the roof replacement and flooring portions of the project with the space demolition, lead paint abatement, and lighting and plumbing already completed and paid for by the City. Once finished, the multi-purpose space will allow the City and third parties to host indoor recreational activities, meetings, or other community gatherings and events.

The City noticed an increased need for more recreational and larger gathering spaces with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Participating in recreational programs and activities while maintaining positive social connections are key to improving mental and physical health,” said Mayor Lisa Pasin. “The 72-year-old Trail Memorial Centre is the cornerstone of our city and we are very grateful to receive funding to complete this project. The long history of the building has instilled pride in our community for being a sports, recreation, and event mecca for our region. Creating a new multi-purpose space in the old library area will open up so many new opportunities while enhancing the diversity of services.”

“Locally-led recreation and programming is one of the best, most affordable ways for everyone in the community to have access to physical fitness and children’s activities,” said Katrine Conroy, Member of British Columbia’s Legislative Assembly for Kootenay West. “Retrofitting the library in Trail is a great way to create opportunity for people to access these kinds of programs. I am glad to see our government partnering with the City of Trail and federal government to make this a reality.”

About The Trail Memorial Centre – Old library space- The Trail and District Public Library vacated its space in the Trail Memorial Centre in 2018 and moved into the Trail Riverfront Centre. The new multi-purpose space in the Trail Memorial Centre will add to the existing two multi-purpose spaces, gymnasium, two ice surfaces, curling rinks, commercial kitchen, and the Trail Smoke Eaters hockey club.

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Andrea Jolly
Communications & Events Coordinator
City of Trail