With our off-season efforts almost done, we want to show off what we’ve done: ice pad, lounge upgrade, boardroom upgrade and general clean up. We also want to introduce you to TCB Catering, our new caterers; and our new ice technician, Kyle Kostiak.
To that end, join us at our:
Renovation Reveal
September 17th at 7 pm
We’d love to have all members take a tour and see how much our club has changed. We will have some appetizers to sample, the bartenders will be there to take your orders, some presentations to make, and some hands to shake with some invited guests for the occasion.
Come on down and bring your family, friends and teammates. It may even be an opportunity to get some friends to join the BCC in advance of our Open House (24 September).
This newsletter highlights what we’ve done at the club since discovering the brine leak…it’s pretty impressive what our club accomplished.
Chris Hauschild (HAUS)
Barrie Curling Club President
Ice Pad Project Update
The 2018/2019 curling season at the Barrie Curling Club was one like no other the club has experienced. In September 2018, our Board of Directors (BOD) were greeted by the news that on start-up of the ice making plant, the brine system (used to cool the ice pad down to make ice) had experienced a leak. On the advice of those who knew our ice plant system best, the decision was made to continue with the ice installation as the cooling of the equipment should ‘tighten’ up the system by contracting the pipes to help seal the leaks...it worked.
News of the brine leak came as no surprise to those club members who have been associated with our club for a number of years. Having been constructed in 1952, it was known by many that our ‘ice pad’ was on borrowed time. In recent years, that knowledge had led a few BOD members to somewhat actively consider and pursue options for the ice pad replacement. At that time, it was felt we would have a few years to raise the much-needed funds for this big project, however, news of the brine leak changed the “Ice Pad Replacement Project” from 36 months to 9 months!
Using information previously gathered, it was determined we could install a new Ice Pad over the existing concrete floor, saving the BCC approximately $100,000.00 by not demolishing the old floor. We then set our sights on obtaining quotes to have construction companies replace the floor. These various quotes ranged up to $500,000.00 with some being just the Ice Pad replacement only while others were a full ‘turn key’ deal including everything from the Ice Pad, back and side boards and floor coverings on those boards. The Board Members had mildly considered attempting this monumental task on our own using the members as volunteers. It was not until we sat in on a presentation from the President of the Prince Edward Curling Club in Picton, Ontario that this idea was considered as a viable option. The Prince Edward Curling Club had experienced the same issues a few years ago and the Picton Curling Club banded together and with the volunteer members as their most valuable asset, they were able to replace their Ice Pad floor at a fraction of the cost of hiring an outside company. IT WAS POSSIBLE!
Armed with this information, we knew we stood a very good chance of making this happen if we were able to secure adequate funding. Fundraising within the club had been an ongoing process since the discovery of the brine leak, however, we realistically knew that we would require a loan or cash injection from an outside source if we were to complete the project in time for the 2019/2020 curling season. After several financial rejections, it was Meridian Credit Union that secured enough funds to bring the Ice Pad Project to fruition.
The ongoing leadership and planning of our Ice Pad Technical Committee made up of BCC members Peter Lamers, James McNabb, David James, and Dave Horie had laid the groundwork for the Ice Pad replacement. Many of our members had already contributed to the Ice Pad Fund either by donating directly or through the National Sports Trust Fund; while others had signed up to support the effort with the contribution of their own work. Armed with over 85 signed-up volunteers and now the funding to complete the project, the removal of the ice after the Tournament of Champions weekend would signify the start of this enormous undertaking.
With the ice plant shut down and the old brine removed from the system, it would take two weeks for the concrete ice pad to warm up enough to have the ice melt and water removed enabling the vinyl sheets, houses and advertising to be removed so the ice pad surface could be prepared for the new concrete. While this was happening the old header system along with the side and back boards were removed to make room for the new systems.
The Ice Pad area was now ready for the start of the various systems installations required to be in place prior to the pouring of the Ice Pad concrete. Thanks to the hard work of our dedicated volunteer members, all preparations to this point we're completed 2 to 3 weeks ahead of schedule. From that point in time, the 2 weeks that followed were nothing short or amazing. The call went out to our volunteers explaining the work that needed to be completed. THEY DID NOT DISAPPOINT! Beginning with the insulation, followed by the pipe supports, the re-bar, the pipe itself and finally the wire mesh to secure everything in place, our volunteers, sometimes numbering 19 or more at a time would once again rise to the task at hand and complete this very professional job (as described be the concrete company) in only two weeks, far ahead of schedule. All in all, our volunteers would end up installing 2 layers of insulation totalling approximately 32,000 square feet, 1032 pipe supports totalling almost 1.9 kilometres in length, over 14 kilometres of pipe for the new brine to travel through, topped off with nearly 16,000 square feet of wire mesh. Everything was either wire tied or zip tied to secure it in place to withstand the riggers of the concrete pouring process.
Not Just a New Ice Pad!
There were a few breaks along the way and our keen group of volunteers wanted to be helping in some way. In an effort to maintain volunteer interest so that they would stay hands-on at the club, the decision was made to do some painting of the end walls of the ice pad area, rejuvenate the Board Room and give the upstairs lounge a face-lift. After all, our caring and giving members deserve a fresher and updated Club to come back to as they start off the 2019/2020 season with the new Ice Pad. Besides, we were well past due for these renovations. With the approval of the Board of Directors, our Property and Infrastructure Board Member received the funds for the makeover and sure enough, our volunteers jumped in once again to make it all happen.
Finally, with the curing and sealing of the Ice Pad complete, we find ourselves arriving at the end of this journey. In the 11 months of planning and work since the leak was discovered, one thing stands out: the Barrie Curling Club owes its renovated Ice Pad and Club to the funding, hard work, pride and dedication of our valuable members. There was no hurtle to high or wall to insurmountable that it could not be conquered. BRAVO!
TOGETHER WE REALLY ARE STRONGER!
It's Never Too Late!
If you held back donations because you were unsure if the ice pad construction plan would work or were cash strapped at Christmas time, please feel free to contribute to the National Sports Trust Fund –make sure to choose “The Barrie Curling Club” as the organization you wish to contribute to. Alternatively, contact Melanie Hughes at manager@barriecurlingclub.com to find out alternate ways to donate.
