Options for the aging Civic Arena to be studied

VERNON – The regional district is going to spend up to $100,000 to look at the feasibility of replacing the more than 75-year-old Civic Arena.

The Regional District of the North Okanagan board has approved a request for proposals and the terms of reference for a feasibility and cost analysis report.

“Should the arena be replaced altogether? Is it worth maintaining the existing ice surface?” board chair Rick Fairbairn said. “We have to have a study to spend dollars. This is a requirement.”

The study will look at three options: Twin the ice sheets at Kal Tire Place or the Priest Valley arena or build a new arena.

The Greater Vernon Advisory Committee has already approved a November referendum on the future of the Civic Arena.

A new arena would cost roughly $5-million while an engineering report concluded about $7-million would be needed over the next few years to keep the Civic Arena safe, and in operation.

The GVAC will be holding a special meeting on June 25 to discuss the results of the feasibility and cost analysis report.

This is a step in the process to get the information the public needs to make an informed decision in the fall referendum, Fairbairn said.

“It’s all about effectively managing taxpayer dollars.”

To contact the reporter for this story, email Howard Alexander at halexander@infotelnews.ca or call 250-491-0331. To contact the editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.