Arena work to start in spring

By Kate Bouey - CASTANET Oct 13, 2016 / 5:00 am

Good things come to those who wait, according to the old saying. In Vernon, construction work on a new arena beside Kal Tire Place won't start until at least March of next year, according to Doug Ross, director of recreation services. "Everything is on or ahead of schedule," Ross said. According to the City of Vernon's website, design work was expected to take nine to 12 months followed by 24 months of construction to complete the $14 million project. “The new facility at Kal Tire Place could potentially open in the fall of 2018,” the website states. Meanwhile, user groups at the aging Civic arena hope the new ice sheet is ready sooner rather than later. “I've been getting lots of people asking me. I thought construction would start this fall,” said Cameron Grant, head of an advocacy group that lobbied the public to vote in favour of borrowing funds to build the facility. The project is expected to go out to tender in January, Ross said.