Slab Poured As Arena Opening Moves Closer

Specialized crew pours the concrete slab to allow ice to be made at Greater Vernon’s new arena, Kal Tire Place North (Pete McIntyre/Beach Radio News photo)

Greater Vernon’s new arena is expected to open in two months — and a key part of the ice making process is being installed today.

The City’s Director of Recreation Services, Doug Ross, says a specialized crew of several dozen workers from Edmonton is pouring the concrete slab, which allows ice to be made in the facility.

“And they indicated they have done ice sheets all the way from the southern United States all the way to Tuktoyaktuk, and they just did Rexall Place (Rogers Place in Edmonton), so it’s pretty impressive we’ve got a company with that kind of reputation here,” Ross told Beach Radio News during a media tour of the new arena.

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Ross say after it’s poured, the slab will sit and settle for exactly 37 days.

“It has to cure and we have to make sure we don’t change its temperature. And in fact, after they’re done here, I understand they will be covering it up with water, and they’ll actually leave it under water for a few days to make everything is setting up nicely and curing.”

Ross says says the public will likely get its first chance to skate on the new ice at the grand opening weekend Sept. 7th to 9th.

“What we would like too be able to is a combination of dry floor and ice related activities, so we might actually have a public skate on that first weekend as well. The ice will be in and it will be usable.”

Brian Quiring from MQN Architects — who is also a city councillor —  says his firm has designed a number of arenas over the years.

“We’re really happy with this one — we’re happy with all of  them — but this one is in our home town, and to come see it come together like this. I think the interior of building is beautiful, it’s exactly like we had imagined it, and the washrooms have filled out beautifully. It’s just a first class facility,” said Quiring.

The 13 million dollar, 400 seat arena has been under construction since April 2017.