Repairs underway after woodpeckers cause $150K damage to Vernon art centre

VERNON – Work is underway at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre repairing $150,000 worth of damage caused by woodpeckers.

The Northern Flicker, a type of woodpecker, has been causing damage to the exterior of the building for years destroying exterior insulation and the original stucco surface.

The Regional District of North Okanagan has looked at several cheaper options over the years, including broadcasting predatory bird calls, adding a scent to the paint which is supposed to repel birds, as well as using plastic owls and ribbons to scare off the woodpeckers, says a Regional district media release.

Unfortunately, these methods did not work.

The birds have created large nesting holes in the building and pulled insulation from behind the stucco.

The 8,000 square foot exterior surface will now be coated with a spray-on polymer, which is mixed with the original paint colour and is impenetrable to birds.

"The product provides the additional benefit of a refreshed coat of paint that has been given a very long warranty period against fading,” Regional District manager of community services Tannis Nelson said in the release. "In effect, we have accomplished two major facility repair and maintenance projects at the same time, which saves costs."

The work to the Performing Arts Centre started after the spring nesting season and should be finished in time for the resumption of public performances in September.

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