More money needed more quickly for arena maintenance in Penticton

The City of Penticton will need to shell out more money to keep McLaren Arena operating, city council was told this afternoon.

Base building repairs for the Penticton’s two ageing arenas, Memorial and McLaren, have increased from an estimated $1.2 million less than two years ago to $2.1 million, facilities manager Bregje Kozak told council today, Nov. 5.

Kozak said regulation changes have resulted in the banning of the refrigerant used at McLaren Arena and has accelerated the need to upgrade the facility’s ice plant, which had been slated for replacement at a later date.

McLaren Arena turns 50 years old next year. A 2017 task force report recommended decommissioning the arena in 10 years but no firm financial decisions are being made on the City’s overall arena plan until an asset and amenities review is completed in 2021.

Kozak said the city’s older facilities come with unexpected costs and repairs which will have to be made if the City is to maintain its ice surfaces and avoid lengthy and disruptive shutdowns.

The McLaren Arena currently hosts around 81.5 hours worth of activity weekly.

In addition to a new ice plant, it will also need a new roof next year, at a total cost of $1.025 million. Roughly $780,000 would be needed in this year’s budget with an additional $505,000 next year.

Kozak said the report was being provided to council for information purposes in time for the 2020 budget season.

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