NHL-sized ice sheet

Photo: Recreation Services

There will be an NHL-sized sheet of ice and a lot of dressing rooms in the proposed $13-million arena for Vernon which is on schedule and, hopefully, on budget, according to Doug Ross, head of recreation services for the City of Vernon.

In a presentation to council on Monday, Ross presented the current design of the project, by MQN Architects.

The project, which will add a second sheet of ice to Kal Tire Place, is expected to go to tender Jan. 9 with a closing date of Feb. 15.

“At this time, the design team believes that the project is within the budget target," said Ross. "The actual cost to complete the project will only be determined by putting the project out to the construction market.

"Should the project come in over the fixed budget amount, the design team will consider a combination of value engineering and/or negotiations with the preferred contractor to bring the project in on budget."

“Are we selling the naming rights?” asked Coun. Bob Spiers.

“We are currently in the process of doing that,” answered Ross.

While the arena won't have the seating capacity of Kal Tire Place next door, Ross said there would be a 400-seat bleacher area on the eastern side of the building overlooking an NHL-sized ice sheet.

Plans also include six team dressing rooms, including two that would be over-sized and wheelchair accessible allowing future use for sledge hockey players, two referee dressing rooms, a dryland training facility, a meeting room, a minor hockey office and a minor hockey storage area.

The project is planned to be a 15-18 month build with a targeted opening date of Sept. 1, 2018.