The topic of much debate in the community the last few weeks will be decided today. A referendum for Greater Vernon residents will decide if the regional district can borrow $13.25 million dollars to add a second ice sheet at Kal Tire Place to replace the 78 year old Civic Arena. If approved, the new rink would be built at the north end of the building and would take up to three years to design and build. The average home ($350,000) would see a $24 annual tax increase, for 20 years. Polling stations at BX Elementary, Coldstream Elementary, Ellison Elementary and Silver Star Elementary, as well as the Vernon Rec Centre auditorium will be open from 8 am to 8 pm. Just over 47,000 people are eligible to vote, and so far, about 5% or 2,544 have advanced voted. Chief election officer Paddy Juniper says the result will be announced Saturday night. "We're expecting anywhere from 8 to 10,000 votes, hopefully more. We do have about 47,000 voters that could show up. I'm hoping we get the results by 10 pm, or 10:30," she tells Kiss FM. Juniper says 60 staff will be helping out at the five polling stations. People are asked to bring two pieces of ID, one with your signature.Residents, 18 and older, can vote at any one of the sites, not just the one in your home community.
Groups like the Arena Advocacy Group and some local politicians argue it's not economically feasible to continue putting money into the Civic Arena, which could fail at any time, leaving 40% of local ice users without adequate ice times. However, letters to the editor and online banter have stated numerous reasons why people are voting no, including some seniors who are on fixed incomes and say it's something they would never use and they simply can't afford it. Others would like to see local money spent on other projects, such as a 100 metre pool, other sports facilities, or for infrastructure projects. For further information, call 250.550.3700 or visit the RDNO website at http://www.rdno.ca/index.php/about/elections-other-voting. Further information on the proposed project is available at www.greatervernonrecreation.ca/arenareferendum
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