What to do with Memorial?

TUESDAY, 15 OCTOBER 2013 02:00 JOHN MOORHOUSE Penticton Herald

The idea of spending more than half-a-million dollars to fix the roof of iconic Penticton Memorial Arena could be a sound investment, say some of the city's more seasoned hockey players. Penticton city council has approved spending up to $40,000 on roof repairs at Memorial before the end of December, as part of a program which could see an estimated $569,000 spent on further remediation efforts over the next 10 years. Brian Pearson and Jim Fortier are among a group of old-timer hockey players who get together three noon hours a week to play at Memorial Arena. Pearson said Monday the city's decision to fix the roof is a worthwhile investment. "Certainly I think it's worthwhile," he said. "I've played here all my life and I'd hate to see it get ripped down." Pearson, 68, recalled playing minor hockey at Memorial Arena shortly after it opened in 1951. "I started when I was about six, so I've probably been here since Day 1 and I'm still playing," he said with a chuckle. With minor hockey and other organizations getting most of the prime ice times at the city's other arenas, Memorial provides some valuable ice times for older players, Pearson added. Fortier said although he appreciates the heritage value of the arena, the city must also consider the amount of use the 62-year-old facility gets."I know we've played in it for a long time, but I don't know what groups play in it at night," he said. "That's the key. If it's being used, then it's worthwhile." Fortier said he also feels the arena could need plumbing and other repair work, in addition to the roof repairs. Chuck Loewen, the city's general manager of recreation and facilities, said the leaking roof has been a growing problem in recent years. "Previous estimates for a full roof replacement or repair have ranged from $1.2 million to as high as $1.7 million," he told council. However, a roof and structural assessment of Memorial Arena conducted earlier this year, found the repair work shouldn't be as expensive as originally thought. "The most immediate roof repairs (in 2013) would involve grommet replacement and silicon injection to prevent water leaking through the roof," Loewen said. "Beyond that, major replacements of specific roof sections would occur in 2016 for $215,000 and in 2023 for $300,000." One section of rotting glue-laminated wooden beam will require replacement in 2014 for about $9,000. Loewen noted Memorial Arena continues to serve as an important ice surface for minor hockey, the Okanagan Hockey School and many recreational leagues. It also hosts lacrosse games during the non-ice season. Council voted unanimously in favour of the initial $40,000 in roof repairs. Coun. Wes Hopkin, who played minor hockey at Memorial, said the assessment's findings highlight the importance of doing proper research and planning before proceeding with such work. "I think this will save us a lot of money, time and aggravation in the long run, because we had proper planning and we know how to fix and repair and sustain an important building," Hopkin said.