pursue plans
to decommission the 75-year-old ice sheet by either twinning Wesbild
Centre or Priest Valley Arena. “Civic is going to fail and needs replacement so
it’s thoughtful and logical for us to consider how to do that,” said
Mayor Rob Sawatzky. The earliest there could be a new facility, given a referendum and construction, is 2016. State-of-the-art in 1938, Civic Arena’s best days are long behind it. “The facility does not have sufficient snow
loading capability in the roof,” said Doug Ross, the city’s recreation
services manager. “The (engineer’s) report also noted ongoing
issues with the heaving of the concrete slab and the increase in
vertical cracks in the exterior walls.” Because the slab has heaved at least six inches
in some places, there is also the potential for the brine cooling pipes
to break. While a core services review by KPMG didn’t
recommend replacing Civic, Ross doesn’t believe that is feasible given
that Civic has 1,600 hours of ice use during the winter and existing Vernon arenas could only handle 60 per cent of that through dramatic
rescheduling (teams playing hockey at 2 a.m.). “Armstrong and Lumby do not have the ability to accommodate those people (the remaining 40 per cent),” he said. The goal would be to construct a new 400-seat
facility. Ideally, it would be at Wesbild Centre, but because of an
ongoing legal dispute at Kin Race Track, land may not be available. The Regional District of North Okanagan has budgeted for a study to determine if Priest Valley Arena can be twinned. Depending on the site, a new arena could cost between $5 and $10 million. “Using the current revenue generated by Civic
Arena and estimated operational costs for a new energy efficient
facility attached to an existing arena, the facility could operate at
break even and essentially eliminate the existing $160,000 deficit to
operate Civic,” said Ross. “Additionally, the facility would become more attractive for the hosting of tournaments and large dry floor events.” Sawatzky says the city is working with Coldstream and the electoral areas on arena needs. “They share in the usage, the planning and the costs,” he said.Sunday, May 19, 2013
Ice days numbered at Vernon Civic Arena
pursue plans
to decommission the 75-year-old ice sheet by either twinning Wesbild
Centre or Priest Valley Arena. “Civic is going to fail and needs replacement so
it’s thoughtful and logical for us to consider how to do that,” said
Mayor Rob Sawatzky. The earliest there could be a new facility, given a referendum and construction, is 2016. State-of-the-art in 1938, Civic Arena’s best days are long behind it. “The facility does not have sufficient snow
loading capability in the roof,” said Doug Ross, the city’s recreation
services manager. “The (engineer’s) report also noted ongoing
issues with the heaving of the concrete slab and the increase in
vertical cracks in the exterior walls.” Because the slab has heaved at least six inches
in some places, there is also the potential for the brine cooling pipes
to break. While a core services review by KPMG didn’t
recommend replacing Civic, Ross doesn’t believe that is feasible given
that Civic has 1,600 hours of ice use during the winter and existing Vernon arenas could only handle 60 per cent of that through dramatic
rescheduling (teams playing hockey at 2 a.m.). “Armstrong and Lumby do not have the ability to accommodate those people (the remaining 40 per cent),” he said. The goal would be to construct a new 400-seat
facility. Ideally, it would be at Wesbild Centre, but because of an
ongoing legal dispute at Kin Race Track, land may not be available. The Regional District of North Okanagan has budgeted for a study to determine if Priest Valley Arena can be twinned. Depending on the site, a new arena could cost between $5 and $10 million. “Using the current revenue generated by Civic
Arena and estimated operational costs for a new energy efficient
facility attached to an existing arena, the facility could operate at
break even and essentially eliminate the existing $160,000 deficit to
operate Civic,” said Ross. “Additionally, the facility would become more attractive for the hosting of tournaments and large dry floor events.” Sawatzky says the city is working with Coldstream and the electoral areas on arena needs. “They share in the usage, the planning and the costs,” he said.
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“Using the current revenue generated by Civic Arena and estimated operational costs for a new energy efficient facility attached to an existing arena, the facility could operate at break even and essentially eliminate the existing $160,000 deficit to operate Civic,” said Ross.
Seems like I heard that song before, except it was in connection with the Kal Tire Centre.
I know we might need a new ice sheet but don't use that old cliché. None of our current facilities are self-sustaining, they all need taxes for operating expenses.
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