If Penticton builds it, the Canucks will come

By Scott TrudeauTuesday, September 12, 2006 http://www.pentictonherald.ca/article_1975.php
Penticton could become the future site for the Vancouver Canucks training camp following an announcement on Monday.Mayor Jake Kimberley had just returned from the Burnaby Eight Rinks complex where he had received confirmation about a tentative agreement struck between the NHL team and the city from Steve Tambellini, the Canucks' vice-president and assistant general manager.Providing the South Okanagan Event Centre goes forward, the Canucks will be breaking camp here starting in 2008. Kimberley stated emphatically that it was a relationship between the Penticton Valley First Vees and the Canucks which brought the agreement into fruition. It had nothing to do with the city trying to bolster the yes vote for the city in the event centre referendum which happens this Saturday. "We didn't pursue this. It was all to do with their connection with the Vees. They (Canucks) made the invitation," he said, noting he became aware of the agreement only last Friday.Kimberley did not have any details as to either the dollar amount the Canucks are offering the city or the length of the agreement. He estimated because there will be coaching, training and medical staff, in addition to the players who will be in Penticton for the duration of the camp, the economic benefit would probably be significant.In addition Kimberley acknowledged that having the Canucks holding its training camp here would attract spectators throughout the South Okanagan and its extended area. Pending the outcome of the referendum and additional discussion with the Canucks more details will be made available."They're intent is to see that the facility can meet the team's needs," said Kimberley, who added that Tambellini has already seen drawings of the facility which will house two ice surfaces including one convertible to an Olympic-size rink.This year's training camp opened at the Multiplex in Vernon on Sept. 8.