Referendum a go

Photo: Google Street View

Greater Vernon residents will be asked this autumn to vote on whether $13.2 million should be borrowed to build a new ice rink.

“The referendum is set for Nov. 28,” said David Sewell, chief administrative officer for the North Okanagan Regional District.

Sewell's announcement follows frantic talks with provincial officials. “It appears the province has approved our loan authorization and service establishment bylaws relating to the multi-use facility expansion," he said.

The proposed ice sheet would be twinned with Kal Tire Place and would replace the old Civic Arena near downtown.

Sewell said there was "some relief" when NORD's board of directors was apprised of the letter from the Ministry of Community Development giving a green light to the vote.

Sewell admitted NORD officials are on a very tight timeline for a referendum but added they "were prepared to go some time ago."

Advance voting will take place Nov. 18 and 25. 

Sewell said the City of Vernon is managing communications while the regional district is tasked with managing the technical aspects of the vote. Election officials have been appointed.

Just last week, Vernon city council voted in support of the twinned rink in anticipation of a referendum.

Bob Spiers was one of two councillors opposed, even though he supports a project to build a rink.

“I would love to see the twinning, but I can't do it without seeing what it is going to cost,” he said.

While Spiers said he doesn't mind taking some funds out of reserves for the project, he was concerned about costs spiralling out of control.