NEWS PHOTO GILLIAN SLADE Aaron Nelson, manager for community connections and support, stands in front of the newly renovated Strathcona Centre that was reopened on Thursday.
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade
A five-month renovation project at the Strathcona Centre is complete and the facility was officially reopened on Thursday.
The work included replacing the roof, HVAC equipment, new siding, fire alarm components and a new barrier-free entrance.
The most obvious changes are visible outside with new siding and fresh colours.
“The City of Medicine Hat invested in the Strathcona Centre to make it a more efficient and healthier building for the long term,” said Aaron Nelson, manager for community connections and support.
This was the first major rehabilitation project at Strathcona Centre since it was opened in 1979 and the budgeted cost was $1 million.
About a year ago some cosmetic upgrades were completed and included electrical work, renovations to washroom facilities to make them barrier-free, fresh paint, lighting, storage for ping pong tables and also carpet. The cost was $225,000.
A range of activities takes place at Strathcona Centre including table tennis, line dancing, Qi gong, floor curling, bocce ball and pickleball.
While renovations were taking place the table tennis teams have been meeting in the studio theatre at the Esplanade. They were able to return to Strathcona Centre on Thursday.
Pickleball players have been meeting temporarily at the Family Leisure Centre and also returned to Strathcona Centre on Thursday.
Nelson said he believed floor curling would recommence on Friday.
The hours of operation at Strathcona Centre are Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays noon till 4 p.m.
One large room at Strathcona Centre contains special exercise equipment for those with a membership. Anyone with a Veiner Centre membership qualifies to purchase an additional exercise membership to use the equipment.
The city is offering orientation tours of the fitness area to Veiner Centre members. Nelson says it is a great opportunity to see some of the equipment demonstrated and receive help on how to use it.
There is limited capacity for the orientation sessions and anyone interested should call the Veiner Centre to register 403-529-8307. Orientation dates and times are as follows: Jan. 17 from 10-11 a.m., Jan. 20 from 1-2 p.m., Jan. 31 from 10-11 a.m. and Feb. 3 from 1-2 p.m.
