The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen has awarded a contract of more than $3.8 million to renovate the Oliver and District Arena.
The contract, awarded to Wildstone Construction Ltd., is for $3,844,257 plus applicable taxes.
The work includes replacing the arena ice slab and the rink dasher board system, installing an energy recovery system and upgrades to the arena refrigeration system controls. Completing code upgrades to the life safety system, renovating the dressing rooms and washrooms to meet current accessibility standards and renovating the kitchen are also part of the plans.
The arena was built in 1968 and was the second ice facility to be established in the South Okanagan.
While the facility has served its community for more than five decades, many key components have reached the end of their useful life, Mark Woods, senior manager of community services with the regional district said in a report to the board.
He added that the looped cooling system and slab floor are failing, multiple building features no longer meet safety codes and the facility does not meet current accessibility standards.
The bid from Wildstone was the lower of two considered by the board. The other bid, only slightly higher, came from Prologic Construction Ltd.
A third bid, from Delta Sierra Construction Ltd., arrived after the submission deadline had passed and was not considered.
Primary funding for the project, at $2,306,485, is from the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.
The remaining funds, at $1,537,772, will come from operating reserves, capital reserves and borrowing.
The borrowing was approved under the Oliver and District Arena Loan Authorization Bylaw.