Residents of a small town in the Similkameen valley are banding together to build a permanent roof over their outdoor ice rink, despite having a budget far short of the estimated cost of the project.

The 300 people who live in Tulameen say that winter snow ruins the natural ice, but bids to construct a new roof cost two to three times more than the $300,000 the town had for the project.

Instead of paying a contractor, the community decided to build the roof themselves with local companies, stores and families providing the labour, equipment and some materials.

“It’s just a complete community effort on this place,” says Rod Hassell, one of the organizers for the construction project.

“Everybody has just been absolutely amazing. The truckers, the equipment, the concrete guys—someone brought in dirt. Just amazing. Someone donated scaffolding. It just goes on,” says Mardi Hassell, a key organizer and Rod’s wife.

The roof is expected to be completed this week, and Mardi Hassell hopes it will enhance Tulameen as an outdoor recreation destination.

Report above on CBC today

Earlier on ODN – June 20th

Tulameen will get an ice arena steel cover at a cost of $300 thousand. Contract approved and granted to Romard Developments in the amount of $297,423.

The contract to cover an existing ice rink that is owned and managed by the RDOS in this small community west of Princeton. Most of the labour will be volunteer cutting the expected cost by $200 thousand.

Area H RDOS Director Brad Hope says “that’s the way we do it” over in the outback. Some concerns from board members on liability issues but the vote passed with assurances that the construction and the site management will be professional, on time and on budget.

Original tenders were received in the range of $564 to $955 thousand and were rejected with local people coming together to get the job done.