Kal Tire Place concessions in need of upgrades

Apr 10, 2024 | 6:00 AM

Over a quarter million dollars in upgrades are needed at Vernon’s recreation concessions.

A staff report to Vernon city council outlined that roughly $278,000 in work was required at the concession and beverage service areas at Kal Tire Place, and requested that staff be authorized to spend up to that much on repairs and upgrades.

Included in the upgrades are $70,300 for The Crease concession; $55,700 for The Penalty Box concession; and $12,000 for the Crossbar liquor service.

The report added all concessions need new ductless split heat pumps to have full temperature control at a cost of $40,000, and that another $100,000 is required for miscellaneous work including electrical and plumbing work, permitting, taxes, consulting, and other repairs.

All three of these spaces are original to the 23-year old building.

Possible firearm involved

One person apprehended in connection with suspicious activity in Coldstream

17h ago

Fatal Collision, Highway Closed

One person dead in crash near Revelstoke

18h ago

Salaries

Vernon Council to discuss lesser pay increases

20h ago

The Centre Ice Concession in Kal Tire Place North was built in 2018 and at last update, was not in need of any upgrades.

Upon receiving the report Monday, April 8, Mayor Victor Cumming indicated council should have a better understanding on the long-term maintenance budget.

“What we get is a current request, and then an amount that we have left over. What it doesn’t show is how much comes in on an annual basis and how much we expect to spend on an annual basis,” Cumming stated.

“Sometimes you get emergencies, I totally get that, but we’re saying yes to something, which makes sense. I am in support of rebuilding the concession stands 20-some years later. It obviously needs to be done, but what else needs to be done, and how do we go about as council measuring those other things as a priority?”

The mayor asked that a multi-year asset management plan be provided to council, and staff indicated that could be provided on a regular basis moving forward.

Council voted unanimously in favour of endorsing the expenditure of up to $278,000 on the upgrades, with the funds coming from the Recreation Facility Major Maintenance Reserve, which at last update had a balance of $845,241.

The city is still seeking a third party to operate the concession services at Kal Tire Place. At last update, it was estimated that revenue from the concessions through tenant payments and commissions would be around $60,000 annually.

by Liam Verster

View Comments