Artist's renderings of the proposed Sun Peaks Centre.
Image Credit: Municipality of Sun Peaks
May 23, 2015 - 2:28 PM
SUN PEAKS – The resort municipality of Sun Peaks is looking to build an indoor arena for use by tourists and residents alike.
A council agenda resolution was passed to apply for gas tax grant for an arena tentatively named the Sun Peaks Centre. Right now the proposal is only an application and will only proceed if government funding becomes available, but Chief Administrative Officer, Rob Bremner has high hopes.
The $8.3 million project is part of a two phase plan roughly costing $4-million each.
Phase one consists of a covering the existing outdoor rink and creating a venue large enough to hold 1,500 people for a concert. The tented, dome-like structure is made of a durable membrane Bremner said was similar to that of the B.C. Lions football stadium.
“During the hurricane in New Orleans the arena made of this material was one of the only structures left standing,” Bremner said.
The building would also be fully insulated and run at 60 per cent of the cost of other, less energy efficient buildings.
Phase two would include adding an upper level to the arena and a large entry way with an open reception area.
Bremner said the purpose of the facility is two-fold. Residents do not have amenities like the one proposed in Sun Peaks. Any special events, sports or recreation are always deferred to Kamloops.
“Businesses are very successful four to five months out of the year, then give it all back,” Bremner said, explaining the need for year-round tourism.
The municipality hopes to hear about the government funding before the upcoming federal election.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Dana Reynolds at dreynolds@infonews.ca or call 250-819-6089. To contact an editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2015