Park name a nod to the Civic Arena

Jun 15, 2021 | 12:25 PM

From championship hockey games to Sunday afternoon skating, there are thousands of personal memories from the former Vernon Civic Arena.

The arena opened on Jan. 6, 1938 and remained in service for 80 years. It was torn down in 2018.

Coun. Kari Gares led the charge to bypass the normal procedure under the city’s naming policy in favour of “Civic Memorial Park.”

“The Civic Arena was there for generations. My great grandfather helped build that arena, so it was devastating to see that arena being taken down. The notion of putting a park in its place but keeping the name maintains our history,” Gares stated.

Mayor Victor Cumming and Coun. Kelly Fehr wanted to follow the naming policy.

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While the park plan was ultimately approved, there were concerns expressed that it only focused on three seasons.

“When you say the word park, everyone thinks green, everyone thinks summer, what is missing in here is winter and that is why we aren’t seeing any mention of ice and stuff like that,” Coun. Scott Anderson said. “In future when we go to the public to talk about parks, we need to specifically mention winter sports and bring those ideas out.”

Mayor Cumming agreed with Anderson, noting there should be an area for sledding or other outdoor winter activities. That wasn’t the only concern the mayor expressed.

“I think there is a significant mistake in the actual design lay-out, and that is the playground is the farthest from the washroom,” Cumming stated. “I think we need to switch that.”

Staff confirmed the washroom and playground are 75 metres apart.

“When you have a three-year old, the distance to the washroom is critical, and I think that the washroom and the playground need to be adjacent,” Cumming added.

Civic Memorial Park design (photo submitted: City of Vernon)

Staff also intend to apply for grant funding to add washrooms to the former Vernon Tourism building, and do exterior finishing work to better integrate the building into the design.

In response to safety concerns expressed in the second round of public consultation, the parks and public spaces bylaw would be amended to restrict overnight camping in the park.

“I think this is just outstanding work, in fact I was so excited about it I had to call Mr. Pearce (Vernon CAO) on Sunday morning. I think this is really just a great design,” Coun. Brian Quiring stated. “I’m looking forward to walking there on my lunch hour and enjoying it. It really will get used by a lot of the downtown businesses, so just hats off, a fantastic piece of design work.”

by Kevin Rothwell

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