The Vernon Rec Centre is getting a fresh, new look. The over $1.3 million facelift begins on Monday, May 25, 2015 with city staff trying to minimize the impact on visitors through the up to 16 months of construction.
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May 16, 2015 - 2:35 PM
VERNON – Renovations to give the City of Vernon’s aging Recreation Centre a fresh, new look will take up to a year-and-a-half to complete.
The over $1.3 million dollar facelift will begin on Monday, May 25 and city staff promise the facilities will stay open during all phases of the construction. The Rec Centre gets an estimated 350,000 visits each year.
“We want to assure our participants and visitors that we are open for business and open for fun and fitness throughout the project,” director of recreation Doug Ross says in a media release. “The goals of the recreation centre renovation are to improve accessibility for all age groups and people with disabilities.”
Ross says the work will also bring a refreshed look to the facility, expand the existing lobby and develop the outdoor space.
During the first phase of construction, the bridge and east entrance area will be closed. You’ll be able to get into the facility through the west doors and parking is available at the curling rink off 35 Avenue and in the lot next to the Halina Centre and Priest Valley Arena on 35 Avenue.
Ross says the renovation will include a new food kiosk and upgrades to the entrances which will feature double wide sliding doors to improve “people flow” along with temperature control and energy efficiency.
The bridge over the creek will be refurbished, lighting improved, bicycle storage added and planters added to the landscaping, he says. Some of the trees will be trimmed or removed and new trees planted.
For all the details about the renovation plans, check out the City of Vernon’s website.
To contact the reporter for this story, email Howard Alexander at halexander@infonews.ca or call 250-491-0331. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2015