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Penticton City Council held a special meeting Tuesday to ratify a $45,000 emergency loan to the Penticton Curling Club.

The interest-free loan will be repayable over five years at $750 per month, with interest charged only on delinquent payments.

The club appeared before council last week to request support in repairing its ice plant as it enters what could be the club's biggest season ever. They will host a World Curling Tour event in November, attracting 24 teams from around the globe, and be a practice facility for the Scotties Tournament of Hearts.

Council heard that the club had already sunk $7,400 into the 42-year-old ice plant this year, before a technician recommended they replace the unit. The loan will fund the replacement of one refrigeration unit and a major rebuild of a second.

“I’m hoping that we don’t get into the business of lending money,” Coun. Campbell Watt said Tuesday, adding he hopes the loan doesn’t open the doors to other community groups to come forward requesting interest-free loans.

Coun. Helena Konanz agreed, and said the city needs to make sure local non-profit operators are setting money aside for large expenses like this in the future. The club’s lease with the city dictates they handle all maintenance of the facility.

A report is due to council next month that will outline possible changes to the city’s facility lease policy, specifically the possibility of the city taking over maintenance of some buildings.

Chief Financial Officer Jim Baur noted the loan doesn’t cost the city anything, and will be filed on the balance sheet as a receivable item.