The Bombers are looking at provincial grant funding to finance upgrades to the Whitney Forum in the coming year - and the City will support their efforts.
City councillors voted to lend support to the Bombers’ application during their Oct. 4 meeting and sign off on a work proposal and application for what work will be completed if the grant is successful. The City will not be paying any money - instead, they will assist in a grant package to the province.
The application, according to City meeting notes, has been made to Manitoba’s Department of Sport, Culture and Heritage through the Arts, Culture and Sport in Community grant stream program. In total, the Bombers are seeking $24,684 through the application, which includes changes to the rink’s new VIP box area and further refurbishment of the rink’s newly-rebuilt west side press box. Accessibility upgrades are also mentioned in the plan.
“We recognize the full financial implications from development of the project and acknowledge that the provincial government will not be responsible for any further financial assistance other than the grant applied for,” reads the Oct. 4 meeting agenda entry for the support.
“They have a list of things and depending on how much money they get, that’s what they’ll be able to do,” said councillor Tim Babcock, also the City’s representative on the Bombers’ board.
“That includes improvements to the VIP box, maybe the new press box - there's some racking that needs to be put in and there are accessibility things happening there.”
Earlier this year, the Forum saw several large improvements including the purchase and installation of a new video scoreboard to replace the old one and rebuilding the west side box, which is now about six feet larger front-to-back than its former size. In recent years, the Forum has also seen an extensive rebuild of the north side boards, refurbishments for some of the dressing rooms, the building of the new wheelchair-accessible and VIP area on the northeast side and the construction of a new set of custom-made trophy cases for the building’s lobby.
“It's all improvements to the Whitney Forum that we wouldn't necessarily do if the Bombers weren't there and it’s all in their best interests - they’re the ones who are going to be paying this bill. They’re applying for grant money and we have to offer our blessing because it’s our building,” said Babcock.
