Repairs to Jim Lind Arena are set to begin in a month-and-a-half and will cost $300,000 less than the district initially anticipated.
The work will begin April 1 and cost the district $1.11 million. During the renovations, which are scheduled until Aug. 1, the arena will be closed to the public.
James Alexander Construction Ltd., in partnership with Palladian Developments Inc., came in with the lowest of four bids to replace the ice floor, arena boards and rink lighting for the arena.
Last October, Mayor Doug Findlater said a major failure could be “catastrophic” if improvements weren’t made to the 35-year-old facility.
The arena has had two major leaks over the past seven years—both forced the rink to close for a week so repairs could be completed.
The district will likely lose about $50,000 in revenue during the construction period; if similar work was done in the winter, the amount lost would likely be four times higher.
The new boards will be installed in the same configuration as Royal LePage Place, so the dry floor will be useable in both rinks.
“It will give us more versatility in the whole facility,” said Findlater.
The district has also applied for a $250,000 grant through the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund to go toward the project.
wpaterson@kelownacapnews.com
