Arena Task Force to look at feasibility of new arena on SOEC property

PENTICTON – Penticton’s Arena Task Force is moving ahead with plans to look at the possibility of constructing a new arena on South Okanagan Event Centre grounds.

The contract for the feasibility study was recently awarded to Sierra Planning and Management consultants, according to a City of Penticton media release.

A Request for Proposal issued by the City in April elicited 10 responses, which were reviewed by Penticton Arena Task Force members as well as city staff.

Task Force chair Stewart Ladyman says the group was impressed by the local expertise on the Sierra team, which includes local contractor Greyback Construction,  McElhanney civil and structural engineers and Meiklejohn Architects.

Cost of the study is estimated at $58,000 with a completion date for the end of June.

The feasibility study is the second one commissioned by the Task Force, who are also currently undertaking a more detailed analysis of the Memorial and McLaren Arenas.

That study is expected to provide greater accuracy in the cost estimates for repair or upgrade of the arenas. It will also provide five, 10 and 20 year investment options to help determine how each improvement will extend the life of the building.

The Task Force intends to share the results with the public once they are complete.

More information can be found about the work at www.shapeyourcitypenticton.ca.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.