City residents get first look at cost estimates for arena improvements

PENTICTON – Cost studies for replacement or upgrades of the Memorial and McLaren Arenas are now complete and it's going to cost.

Depending on the option, the feasibility study for Memorial Arena puts estimates at minimum repairs designed to keep the building functional for another 10 years at a cost $5.1 million, and at the other end of the scale, a completely new arena with either one or two ice surfaces would cost $18.2 or $28. 6 million, respectively.

The new ice surface option comes with a projected lifespan of at least 50 years.

Other options for Memorial Arena include a 20 year upgrade for $8.9 million that includes updated change rooms and lobby, with some major system upgrades, or a $17.5 million option that includes modernization of all building systems and an expansion of the ice surface to regulation size.

A final option would see Memorial turned into a dry surface facility with a 10 year lifespan, for $4.3 million.

For McLaren Arena, a minimum fix that would give the building another 10 years of use is estimated at a cost of $1.2 million, and a complete renovation is estimated at $5.1 million.

A third option for McLaren could see it become exclusively a dry surface facility, at a cost of $771,000.

The City of Penticton released the findings, June 28, prior to an open house scheduled between 4 and 8 p.m yesterday afternoon and evening.

JoAnne Kleb, spokesperson for the city, says 100 people turned out to the open house, expressing appreciation for the level of detail shared.

She says next step involves developing the recommendations and sharing the results with residents.

“We’re trying to get as much input as possible before the July 25 council meeting,” she says.

Timing for a decision continues to be tight as the Arena Task Force works to prepare a recommendation for a grant worth as much as $6 million.

Kleb said it was too early to draw any conclusions regarding the most favoured option.

“People can drop by City Hall to see the results and I will be at the pool next week from Tuesday through Friday between 2 and 4 p.m., as well as to gather feedback,” she said in an email Thursday morning, June 29.

Feedback can also be given online at: shapeyourcitypenticton.ca


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Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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