West Kelowna’s premier hockey rink is set to undergo a few improvements this summer when the arena closes for its annual maintenance.
The most noticeable of the renovations will be a new centre-hung digital score clock, replacing the nearly 20-year-old residing clock.
“As our community grows, the demands on our amenities continue to go up, and this is one of our core amenities that gets used a lot and not just for hockey games, remembrance day ceremonies and potentially other events that could take place well now with a proper (media) gondola and video score clock,” said Coun. Rick de Jong in a Jan. 23 meeting.
The replacement will take place from May 27 to July 21, adding two weeks to the arena’s annual closure.
The extended closure is estimated to cost the City about $20,000 in lost rental revenue.
In total, the cost of the project breaks down to $400,000 for the score clock, $125,000 for a media gondola expansion, $50,000 for design and contingency, and $25,000 for electrical improvements.
One of the groups that will especially appreciate the improvements is the building's main tenant, the West Kelowna Warriors of the British Columbia Hockey League.
“The West Kelowna Warriors have been a great community partner since the new change in ownership in the last few years," said Coun. Garrett Millsap.
"We see the fan base increasing, you go to games you can barely get a drink at the concession because it’s so busy there."
The project received approval by city council and will be paid for with funding from the provincial BC Growing Communities Fund Grant.
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