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By Corey Fischer

Push For Aquatic Centre

Feb 26, 2018 | 6:00 AM

With the expansion of Kal Tire Place getting closer to completion, some people are looking ahead to what should be the next new sporting facility for Greater Vernon.

An online petition, backed by the Kokanee Swim Club, is calling for planning of a 50 metre, eight lane, multi-purpose aquatic centre.

“We have outgrown our current facility, which is too small and inadequate in serving the needs of over 60,000 citizens in Greater Vernon, Coldstream and surrounding towns,” says the petition.

City of Vernon Recreation Services Director, Doug Ross, says the best way to let officials know what facilities and programs are needed, is to give input on the recreation facilities master plan, a process that is currently underway.

“This is the official process to get that kind of feedback, so we’re hearing from individuals, and we’re also meeting with stakeholder groups that are involved in all different aspects of facility use, whether it be aquatics, arenas, or field use,” Ross tells CJIB News.

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Ross says it’s premature to speculate what facilities are most needed, until they hear what the community has to say.

“We’re going to be taking in all that information, and then we’ll be reporting it back to the elected officials in late summer or early fall.”

The 13 million dollar new arena being added at Kal Tire Place, which was approved by voters in a 2015 referendum, is on pace for opening this fall.

Local politicians are also looking into a new multi-purpose cultural complex which could be in the 30 to 35 million dollar range, and could be the subject of a public referendum this fall.

Click here to give input on the Recreation Master Plan.

Click here to see the petition for a new aquatic centre.

by Corey Fischer

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