Vernon Council has directed staff to engage industry professionals to investigate the feasibility of repurposing the Civic Arena and determine potential costs in renovating the facility as a simple shell. The cost for investigating the feasibility and potential repurposing of the Civic was estimated at $40,000.
Staff will prepare a terms of reference and a competitive bidding process to engage specialized industry professionals to conduct the work. Prior to awarding any contracts, staff will report back to Council on the results of the proposals received. An estimate on a new shell facility for comparison will also be provided, as repurposing the Civic would mean bringing the facility up to modern building standards.
Council asked staff in March 2017 to explore detailed cost estimates for repurposing the building into different uses, such as a public market, dry sports or recreational facility, or a cultural facility. Staff reported that such estimates could cost as much as $220,000 to produce. Further, previous building assessment studies identified the structural concerns and advised that the building was nearing the end of its useful life. Based on this information, Council has asked staff for a study that focuses on feasibility and provides a high-level cost estimate. This information will be provided to the public as part of Council’s commitment to engage Vernon residents on the Civic’s ultimate fate.
The Civic Arena, now almost 80 years old, officially opened in 1938. Civic Arena will be decommissioned when the new ice surface at Kal Tire Place is complete in Fall 2018.