Photo: Colin Dacre

Penticton city council will take the first decisive steps in deciding the fate of Memorial and McLaren arenas during a special public meeting tonight.

Applications for a federal infrastructure grant worth $6 million are due at the end of the month, and council needs to decide on a direction for staff.

Last week, the arena task force announced its recommendation; a new double-rink on the west side of the SOEC campus priced at $33.9 million. That plan would see Memorial Arena become a dry facility and McLaren torn down.

Memorial Arena requires at least $17.5 million in work to get it up to a modern standard, but the renovations would require the closure of the rink for some time. It has been determined the community needs four arenas to adequately serve the community and Okanagan Hockey Group.

Tonight's meeting will take place in council chambers from 6 to 8 p.m. The agenda indicates public comment will not be accepted prior to the decision, but public question period will take place at the end of the evening.

Photo: City of Penticton

The arena task force recommendation