Nasty smell at civic

Photo: Google Street View

Yet another problem with Vernon's civic arena faces city council Monday – and it's a smelly one.

Staff report a second urinal has had to be removed from a washroom after the drain became clogged.

“Due to the age of the pipes in the walls of the civic arena, plumbers do not advise and are unwilling to accept responsibility for any damage which may occur behind the walls while trying to clear the pipes,” reads the report.

More importantly, the report states “this is an example of the condition of the civic arena infrastructure and the type of maintenance that is required to operate the facility.”

Built in the 1930s, user groups have warned the civic could fail at any day.

Efforts are now underway to convince the Greater Vernon public to vote in favour of a Nov. 28 referendum.

The North Okanagan Regional District is asking to borrow more than $13 million in order to build a second ice sheet at Kal Tire Place.

Cameron Grant is heading an advocacy team, representing user groups. “This new rink is not an extra rink. It is meant to replace the civic rink which could fail any day and leave thousands of kids from all sports without a venue.”

“Losing the ice time at the civic would have effects such as cutting game and practice time down for every sport involved and will cause some kids and parents to give up on their sport of choice,” he says.

“There is no question that a new rink is needed right now, before the civic fails,” Grant stresses.

Cameron has been holding meetings and telephoning representatives of minor hockey, lacrosse, ringette, figure skating and curling.

His message: “Please get out and vote 'yes' and encourage all who are in favour of this rink to get out and vote 'yes'.”

Cameron says the benefits of twinning, include more access for sports, opportunities for trade shows, international tournaments, bonspiels, and increased revenue. He says it would also be cheaper to run side by side facilities.

“The only question in my mind is whether or not the voters that want this new rink will show up and vote on Nov. 28,” said Cameron.