Ribbon Cut On Kal Tire Place North

The official opening of Greater Vernon’s newest arena featured a ribbon cutting fit for the occasion.

Greater Vernon Advisory chair Juliette Cunningham used a hockey skate blade to cut the ribbon at Kal Tire Place North.

The 13 million dollar project with seating for 400, was a partnership between Greater Vernon communities: Vernon, Coldstream and RDNO Areas B and C.

“These types of facilities certainly do come at a cost for our taxpayers,” Cunningham told the crowd of more than one hundred on hand. “But they have recognized the importance of investing in amenities that make our community active and vibrant places to live.”

Cunningham noted the referendum to borrow the 13 million dollars was held in November 2015.

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“And we are almost three years later cutting the ribbon for a project we like to say was on time and on budget.”

Cunningham acknowledged several people in the management team including project manager Brad Nicol from VVI Construction, MQN Architects, and the City of Vernon’s Ddirector of Recreation Services Doug Ross.

She also commended Kal Tire for its community support.

“They have agreed to extend and expand their sponsorship of this twin facility for an additional ten years.”

Cunningham got a laugh when she noted members of Loverboy, who are playing a concert in the main facility Saturday, were some of the first to try out the new ice in Kal Tire North.

Vernon mayor Akbal Mund says it will create recreation and economic opportunities for the region.

“We’ve built a facility that all the kids and adults are going to be able to enjoy. Tournaments will be brought here a lot more now that you have two ice surfaces,” said Mund.

The arena took about a year and a half to build.