More money for aging arena

Photo: Contributed

A crowd funding campaign has been launched in an effort to improve Lumby's aging Pat Duke Arena.

The community, located 25 minutes from Vernon, has already won $100,000 for renovations for girls change rooms by winning the 2016 Kraft Hockeyville title.

Organizers hope the crowd funding campaign will raise an equal amount. The page went live Tuesday evening.

Spokesperson Angie Clowry said if each of the 5,700 people who are in the "Vote Lumby for Kraft Hockeyville" Facebook page gave $25, it would raise more than $140,000.

And if each person gave $25 for each family member in their home it could raise close to $500,000.

Donations of $50 and up receive a tax receipt.

Clowry said there is a wish list in addition to adding female change rooms to make the Pat Duke Arena more comfortable.

Flooring, storage space, and upgrading the spectator heaters is where the money would be earmarked.

Those wishing to make a cheque or cash donation can make it out to the North Okanagan Regional District and mark it 'Pat Duke Arena improvements' and drop if off at the regional district or the Lumby Village office.

Clowry said she hopes a significant amount of money is raised by the time they host Kraft Hockeyville Day in Lumby Saturday, Oct. 1, with members of the Edmonton Oilers and the Los Angeles Kings.

The two NHL teams will play a pre-season game at Vernon's Kal Tire Place on Oct. 2.