A two-year construction project has been proposed to upgrade the Brock Arena in Kamloops.
Capital projects manager Darren Crundwell said $12.3 million has been budgeted for the work.
The city would have to pay close to $3 million of that through debt. The project will only go ahead if grant funding is provided for the remaining costs. It’s unclear when the city might know if its grant application is successful, and thus when construction would start.
A report from city staff says construction would be phased over two years, “to reduce the need for a full facility shutdown.” Design work would also have to happen in advance.
“We do want to look at replacement of the ice plant, and this opportunity would give us the ability to actually move the ice plant and build a new facility for it, which would meet current safety code. And then all new equipment related to that. Full HVAC upgrades, renovations to the changerooms, adding an additional changeroom,” Crundwell said.
He also said the work would include replacing the roof and building envelope, adding LED lighting and a new community space, replacing boards and glass and improving viewing areas.
“This facility has been very well maintained but it was built in the 1970s, and most of it is original. And we do see this asset lasting a number of years more, so this just gives us an opportunity to really improve the facility.”
The city also said, in a report to council, that the rink will produce up to 57.5 per cent less greenhouse gas emissions when upgrades are finished.
Finance director Kathy Humphrey said the city has looked at taking money out of reserves instead of just using debt for the city’s portion of funding. But she said with gaming funds not been topped up for more than a year – with casinos being closed – there’s not enough in that piggy bank to pull from.
“So without drawing down the reserves not intended for new capital, debt is really the best option. And right now, our debt borrowing rate is below one per cent. So at this point, it’s almost cheaper to borrow the money compared to what we’re getting in our savings account. So it kind of makes sense to take advantage of that right now.”
The most costly part of the project will be moving and replacing the ice plant, at $4 million. The new community space is expected to cost $2.5 million, while HVAC upgrades and replacing the roof and building envelope would each cost $1 million.
In total, the work is expected to cost $10.25 million, and the city has budgeted an extra $2.05 as a contingency in case of changes or cost overruns.
The city says there are about 75,000 visitors per year to the Brock Arena.
