The proposal would change the name of the roadway that goes down past Kal Tire Place and Kal Tire Place North to "Duncan Wray Way" (photo courtesy of the City of Vernon)

By Liam Verster

Duncan Wray Way

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A local leader in sport will be honoured posthumously on a street sign.

At Vernon council’s meeting Monday, April 24, Councillor Akbal Mund put forward a motion to rename Arena Access Road at Kal Tire Place, to “Duncan Wray Way.”

Dr. Wray was an oral surgeon and the owner of the Vernon Vipers for more than 25 years until his death at age 68 in January 2018.

Duncan Wray (Vernon Vipers photo)

Mayor Victor Cumming told Vernon Matters Wray “was a long-time key person in the arena, and the use of the arena, and played a very quiet, behind the scenes role, but a very significant role, in the community for a long, long time” before he passed away.

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The road in question goes off 43rd Ave. and down past Kal Tire Place and Kal Tire Place North to the parking lot.

After proposing the name change, some councillors had questions over the appropriate name.

Councillor Brian Quiring suggested it not be “Duncan Wray Way” as it is a tongue twister and instead be “Duncan Wray Road.”

Councillor Kelly Fehr inquired as to the process in changing the name under the city’s naming policy, but CAO Patti Bridal stated this falls outside any policy as it is just an access point to a city facility and not a formal road, boulevard or way, so it could be renamed without needing to follow a policy.

To that point, Councillor Brian Guy stated it should not be called “Duncan Wray Road,” as it is not a proper road. Bridal suggested “Duncan Wray Access” as an alternative.

James Rice, Vernon’s manager of public works, stated the cost to rename the road “on an operational perspective would be minimal” adding it could be “within a few hundred dollars.”

City council tasked staff with coming back at a later date with an appropriate road type to be included in the memorial street name and with a confirmed cost for making and installing the new signs.