By Corey Fischer

Arena Future Debated

Mar 13, 2017 | 9:13 AM

Vernon council members will be taking a tour of the Civic Arena today, as they get ready to discuss the future of the site.

Mayor Akbal Mund says they will be finding out if the building is still structurally sound, and can it be used for other purposes in the future.

“We don’t want to wait. We want to get this done before our time as a council is done, so we are going to take an on site tour,” Mund tells Kiss FM.

Photo: Cleo Corbett, Long Range Planner, provides Vernon Council and staff with information on current plans for Civic Arena block and potential costs for re-purposing the arena on a tour of the site. (City of Vernon)

The 80 year old facility is expected to be retired as an arena once the new one opens at Kal Tire Place in late 2018.

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Mund says future options include using it for other sports, or tearing it down and turning the site into a park.

“We’ve had many comments from the general public on options to use it for pickleball, lacrosse or indoor soccer.”

Council’s committee of the whole will consider a recommendations from staff to get a cost estimate and potential funding sources for demolition of the Arena.

“We also want to have an update on the asset itself, like is is structurally sound? Is is going to be viable to re-purpose that facility?” adds Mund.

The city says the Civic Arena block has been identified as a future park for the past decade.

“Numerous plans, including the Official Community Plan, City Centre Neighbourhood Plan and, most recently, the Parks Master Plan, have identified the need for more parkland in the city centre,” says a media release. “Maintaining quality of life for residents while increasing residential and commercial development in the city centre to serve a growing population were cited as the primary reasons for the property being slated as a park.

City staff hope to provide council with a report on estimated re-purposing costs in June.

by Corey Fischer