It will cost $5.5-million to maintain the Summerland Arena and Curling Club for the next 25 years.
The information was contained in the facility condition assessment final report presented to council Monday (July 25).
“This money does not assume any major programming changes or renovations,” said Larry McSorley with Stephenson Engineering, the company contracted to conduct the report. “It’s really keeping it up to current conditions and replacing things as they wear out.”
The money would be spent on a new roof, windows, doors, interior finishes, as well as mechanical and electrical needs. The dollar figure also includes a potential new slab for the arena at approximately $1-million.
The report stated that the majority of the population in Summerland is between 15 to 64 years of age, with the median age just over 54. It also found the community has a higher retirement age than the rest of Canada and that there is a high demand for recreational facilities and growing needs for seniors.
McSorley noted that he does see the building having another 15 to 20 years of life in its current format.
“Does that mean it has to get knocked down and start over? Not necessarily. Does it have to have a major renovation? Yes.”
The facility is 46 years old, just over halfway through its projected life span.
“Eighty-five is considered the industry normal these days,” added McSorley. “Will it last longer than that? Probably.” Depends on how it responds to the needs of the public.”
Coun. Doug Holmes said council shouldn’t lose sight that the arena has served the community well.
“I see we use that arena for what it was built for originally,” added Holmes. “I can’t see a huge amount of changes the way our demographics are. Upgrading based on programming doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me.”
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@GaryBarnes109
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