Memorial Arena parking upgrades on the way

KAMLOOPS – Upgrades to the parking lot at Memorial Arena will include new asphalt, more parking spots and a retaining wall to prevent erosion, if council approves the project Tuesday afternoon.

Staff is asking for the transfer of funds so the rehabilitation project, which will see improvements to pedestrian and vehicle access, can get underway. The project was not initially anticipated but inspections of the property due to safety concerns showed the rehabilitation of the site is a priority.

The parking capacity will be upgraded to 33 stalls from 24 and the asphalt, which is currently in 'poor condition', will be replaced. The new design of the parking area also includes separate one-way entrances and exits at Lansdowne Street as well as additional lighting and road markings. A retaining wall to separate the areas will help with erosion and safety by forcing pedestrians to take the stairway from the parking lot to the sidewalk.

Staff hopes council will allow the transfer of $185,000 from the Hillside Cemetery Capital Project to supplement the $100,000 already in the Parking Areas Rehabilitation Capital Project to allow the Memorial Arena project to move forward.

Staff expects the need for green burial sites is still at least three to five years away, which is why they are willing to recommend the transfer of funds from that budget.

Memorial Arena will be one of the primary venues for the 2014 Tim Hortons Brier.

To contact a reporter for this story, email jstahn@infotelnews.ca, call (250)819-3723 or tweet @JennStahn.