By Medicine Hat News on August 7, 2019.
Construction work for renovations at Strathcona Centre has commenced.
The work will include a new roof, new siding, replacing HVAC equipment, fire alarm components and a new barrier-free entrance.
This is the first major rehabilitation project at Strathcona Centre since it was opened in 1979. While some cosmetic upgrades were done last year as part of the Seniors Centre Development Project, this work is critical to maintain the integrity of the building.
The cost of $1 million has already been approved as part of the city’s budget.
The work done last year cost $225,000 and included electrical work, renovations to washroom facilities to make them barrier-free, fresh paint, lighting, storage for ping-pong tables and also carpet. Completion of that work was celebrated last November. Those renovations had more to do with the seniors’ centre redevelopment that took place after re-opening the Veiner Centre.
The pool and change rooms will remain open to the public, along with the fitness centre and seniors’ activity space, while work on the building begins.
On Sept. 2, Strathcona Centre, including the pool, will be closed to accommodate construction crews, and have the work completed safely and as quickly as possible. The Strathcona Centre will reopen on Dec. 2.
While Strathcona Centre is closed those with a Veiner Centre membership and the additional fitness centre membership will have their membership honoured at the Crestwood Recreation Centre.
A range of activities take place at Strathcona Centre including table tennis, line dancing, Qi gong, floor curling, bocce ball and pickle ball.
Residents and visitors are asked to obey all posted signage.