A planned expansion of the SEAPARC Leisure Complex in Sooke has hit a financial stumbling block.
The federal government has rejected a $500,000 grant application the SEAPARC board needs to build the facility.
The proposed $2-million project will see an addition to the SEAPARC complex, with approximately 4,400 square feet of additional space, divided between 2,000 square feet of dedicated gym floor and around 2,400 square feet for multipurpose space.
Funding will be broken up into three parts: SEAPARC has dedicated $750,000 to secure $500,000 from senior governments. If all goes to plan, SEAPARC will dedicate another $750,000 in 2018 towards the project’s completion.
“By no means are we giving up on any grant funding,” said Steve Knoke, SEAPARC manager. “We’re just changing gears.”
Knoke said over the next month the SEAPARC commission will discuss the project and lay plans for the future, including looking for new grant opportunities.
“We’re ready to move ahead. We need to provide this service. We keep sharpening the saw and keep trying new ways to fund these things,” he said.
– with files from Octavian Lacatusu