Celebration May Become Annual Event

By Corey Fischer

Sep 10, 2018 | 4:18 PM

The strong ticket sales for the Loverboy concert in Vernon over the weekend could lead to more of those types of events here in the future.

The Canadian group known for hits like ‘Turn Me Loose” and ‘Hot Girls in Love” joined with Platinum Blonde to perform at a sold-out event at Kal Tire Place Saturday.

The City’s Director of Recreation Services, Doug Ross, says they have always wanted to hold more concerts at the venue, but most of the groups make stops at the larger arenas in Kelowna, Kamloops and Penticton.

“But if we can find that kind of niche market, and the bands that can draw, say 2,000 to 3,000 people, then we believe we’ll be able to bring some concerts into Vernon,” Ross tells Beach Radio News.

Ross the the three day community celebration to open the new Kal Tire Place North Arena was a huge success.

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“Saturday we had 20 or 30 people on the ice at all times during the public skate that was held. And on Sunday, we had over 50 booths set up at the public market, and there was a steady stream of people from 10:30 when we opened until 3:30 in the afternoon.”

He says it may become an annual event.

“I’m not sure if the line up of activities will be the same, but we’re hoping to do something on an annual basis.”

Ross says the public gave “rave reviews” after inspecting the new $13 million arena.

“A lot of people just came to check it out, and were giving us the thumbs up, and saying ‘great job.”‘

Ross says the new Kal Tire North will be much busier than the now decommissioned Civic Area was.

“With the Civic Arena, we were keeping the building closed most of the time Monday to Friday until 3:30 in the afternoon, but now with the non-prime time ice we’ve booked, the building is open and being used during the day Monday to Friday.”

Ross says things that were outside the scope of the project are still being worked on at the new arena.

Photo courtesy of Facebook

by Corey Fischer