The Upper Skeena Recreation Centre project in Hazelton has received a $1 million donation from TransCanada.
Heart of the Hazeltons chair, Dr. Peter Newberry says some of the donation from TransCanada’s Prince Rupert Transmission project will cover engineering and construction costs while some is slated for operating expenses later on.
“The gift is structured so that it runs out over a period of time, so that it is a long-term commitment on the part of TransCanada to the community of the Upper Skeena and particularly to the recreation centre.
However, some of the TransCanada donation is fully committed and some is dependent on the approval of the LNG pipeline project.
He says the new centre will be a significant addition to the community.
“The issue for us is the present arena has out-lived its life and it needs to be replaced. But in the process we have opportunities to create new education, recreation, health and activity programs for people over the whole region.”
Newberry says they have to raise nearly ten million dollars to build the new facility.