Kamloops councillor questions shifting arena plans

The final design for an upcoming Kamloops arena hasn’t been nailed down yet and efforts to keep costs down could see the end result pared down.

The biggest change is a potential reduction of four ice sheets to three, which got the attention of at least one city councillor at a committee meeting today, April 13.

“I have trouble with this because the price went up and we’re getting less than what we proposed. That’s not what I voted for,” Coun. Bill Sarai said.

The arena is currently estimated to cost up to $154 million, which is $14 million higher than previous estimates.

Sarai questioned whether the potential changes to the arena’s design risk when the loan was approved by voters in 2024 is still valid. City staff said the early concepts were adjusted in the wake of a shifting economy and rising costs in construction since the loan was approved.

“We came to you with a concept of four rinks and the concept of a number of what it would cost, then we went away to do a validation,” CAO Byron McCorkell said. “We can do it all, but the costs, we’re concerned with the current economy things are changing rapidly, so we’re going to have to make decisions.”

Staff worked in potential additions to the multiplex arena including a mini-rink and a library, but the easiest way to save money on the project is to cut out the fourth full-size rink.

Sarai said the public approved the $130 million loan when the project was pitched as a four-rink facility, so that’s how it should continue moving forward.

He also said he’s “looking forward” to a finalized estimate on the project next month, adding that when staff changes the design it “puts a lot of pressure” on council.

“Yes, the dollar figure wasn’t nailed down, but the concept was. Now the concept’s there, I don’t want to be backing out because the number’s too high, but how high is that number going to be in five years? Are we handing off a mini grenade to the next council?” Sarai said.

Although the inclusion of a library wasn’t part of the original plan, Coun. Kelly Hall said it means the project could become more of a “community facility” and the Thompson Nicola Regional District could share costs.

As the new rinks are completed, Kamloops will also lose one of its ice surfaces with Memorial Arena slated to be torn down and replaced with different sports facilities.

Should the fourth sheet be ultimately included in the new Dufferin area arena, it may include some reclaimed material from Memorial Arena as an homage to the city’s oldest rink.

City staff are still finalizing the design and construction plan. They updated council, but nothing was decided at today’s committee meeting.