Rec Centre Repairs: $2 Million

Written by Peter McIntyre  107.5 KISSFM Thursday, 15 December 2011 15:05

The Vernon Recreation Centre is in need of major repairs, and some local politicians are wondering if it may be more cost-effective to tear it down and build a new one.  The structure--which was built in 1965--is facing a two million dollar bill including a new roof and walls for the swimming pool, and new heating lines and air units for the auditorium.  A dehumidification system--added to the pool in 1993--is said to be undersized for the facility, and has led to rotted-out lines and wood.  Greater Vernon Advisory Committee director Jim Garlick wants to get an estimate on how much a new complex would cost. "Do we spend the two million dollars and fix up what we have, or do we get information back that we can make a decision on and say we'd be better putting that towards a new facility? I want to know that information before making a decision." Interim GVAC chair Mike Macnabb says the repair bill is estimated at two million, which is high enough that they will find out how much a new facility would cost.  "I have no idea what it would cost, but if we are starting to pay large sums of money on a somewhat accelerated time frame, then maybe we should be looking at that." G-VAC directors will be looking at funding options in the new year. The pool is one of the area busiest facilities, with 300,000 user visits a year.   RDNO's acting facilities manager Jim Coughlin says the repairs could be done in phases, with the pool's roof going first as much of the current plywood is rotting.