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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