Vernon city council nix outdoor skate rink idea

A temporary outdoor skating rink proposed to open this winter at the former site of the Civic Arena in Vernon will not go-ahead due to the costs involved.

Vernon city councillor Dalvir Nahal put forward the idea to use the site as a temporary ice rink over the winter at a council meeting in August.

However, council voted unanimously today, Oct. 15, not to go ahead with the rink.

A staff report gave a "conservative" estimate of $275,000 for the temporary rink saying rinks need minimum temperatures of -5 Celsius and Vernon's average daily temperature in January is between zero and -5 C. Due to this the ice rink would need a refrigerant system.

Both councillors Kari Gares and Scott Anderson praised Coun. Nahal for putting forward the idea.

Coun. Anderson said if Vernon had the climate of Manitoba he would say "bring out the hose."

The report also states the boards, chain link fencing and gates at the outdoor Centennial ice rink were replaced at the cost of $182,000 in 2017. Yearly maintenance of the rink costs between $50,000 to $75,000 a year, not including the $135,000 cost of a Zamboni.

The staff report says it is "expected that the actual cost of a small temporary ice rink would quickly escalate from the estimate provided."

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