Civic Arena To Be Assessed

Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Thursday, 07 November 2013 15:00

Vernon's aging Civic Arena is about to get a check-up. An engineering firm will provide the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee with a report on the 76 year old structure to see if can still safely serve its users. GVAC Vernon director Rob Sawatzky says the $30,000 study, which should be done by next March, will show if the facility's days may be numbered. "Most of us expect the assessment will say,'This place could collapse catastrophically at any time.' We know the floor has shifted multiple times over the years, but we really need this assessment to be sure," Sawatzky tells Kiss FM. GVAC chair Mike Macnabb says if the arena needs to be closed down, options for adding another ice sheet, would be considered. "The facility is over 75 years old and it does have some issues with it. Could it be retro-fitted? Perhaps, or is it cheaper to add another sheet of ice at Kal Tire Place? So I think it (study) gives us a better understanding of what we're facing," says Macnabb. The review is part of Vernon taking over the Civic and other recreation facilities in a regional restructuring. Area B director Bob Fleming told the committee the Civic is the main rink for minor hockey. "Without that, a lot of people would not be playing hockey," he says.