Pat Duke Memorial Arena in Lumby (Vernon Matters file photo)

By Liam Verster

50 Year Old Roof

Funding sought to replace arena roof

Mar 22, 2023 | 4:00 PM

The Regional District of North Okanagan is looking to replace the roof of the Pat Duke Arena through a grant opportunity.

A report to the RDNO board of directors recommends the 2023 White Valley Parks, Recreation and Culture budget include $1,540,000 to replace the roof of the Lumby arena with an energy-efficient system.

The report, submitted to the Board of Directors Wednesday, Mar. 22, stated a grant application has been submitted to the Green and Inclusive Community Building Program to cover $1,232,000 for this work. Reserve funds will cover the remaining $308,000.

The grant the RDNO applied for provides up to 80 per cent of an approved project costs for retrofits, repairs or upgrades of existing publicly accessible community buildings that will make the facility more energy-efficient. It was noted grants are only provided for projects in which there has been a committment from the proponent to cover the remaining 20 per cent.

Feasibility and costing studies have already been completed for the proposed project and were submitted along with the application.

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The RDNO report stated the arena, named after a former mayor of the village, has been in use for a variety of sports and activities since 1967. The existing metal roof is over 50 years old and has undergone several emergency repairs since then, including replacing all the roof screws 10 years ago.

Despite those efforts, the roof still has persistent leaks and the current level of maintenance is not sustainable in the long-term.

The report recommends the costs related to the new energy efficient roof be included in the White Valley Parks, Recreation and Culture budget. That budget will include the commitment from reserves as well as the funding from the grant.