From rock music to ringette, Kal Tire Place North celebrates its opening weekend

VERNON – The opening weekend for Vernon's brand new Kal Tire Place North Arena is offering the public a host of free activities from a chance to skate with the Vernon Vipers to an opportunity to try ringette.

The public approved a $13.2 million loan for the arena in a referendum in November 2016, and city officials say the project came in on budget and on time.

Rock bands Loverboy and Platinum Blonde take to the stage Sept. 8 for the Working for the Weekend celebration concert starting at 7:30 p.m. (ticket cost $59/$75) but for those more concerned with the new ice there will be plenty of opportunities to lace up your skates and head out.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 8, the rink will be open to the public at no charge for Vernon residents to take their inaugural skate. Sunday, Sept. 9 will feature at all-day public market and kids zone running from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. held in the arena's parking lot.

Inside there'll be a chance for people over age 50 to take part in a game of shinny from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. At noon the free skate with the Vernon Vipers takes place and following that there'll be chances to try out ringette, figure skating and speed skating at different times during the afternoon. The stage will also feature live music from Erik Chirkoff, Noble Crew, The Young’uns, The Shawn Lightfoot Band and Proper Man playing throughout the afternoon.

Click here for the full schedule.

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