Penticton city council to make a decision on Sportsplex repair costs

PENTICTON – Penticton city council will look at funding interim measures to extend the life of the Adidas Sportsplex Indoor Soccer facility with a budget amendment at tonight’s, May 16, meeting.

A staff report prepared by Penticton facilities manager Bregje Kozak explains an expenditure of $350,000 would allow for improvements to the facility to extend the life of the roof and and heating system for another decade.

Kozak says the sportsplex’ fabric roof has been deficient for several years, culminating in a panel being ripped off the roof during a windstorm in 2015.

The manufacturer has told the city the roof has only three years service life remaining, but a structural engineer hired by the city to provide an alternative opinion stated, with repairs, the roof could be made serviceable for another 10 years.

Repairs and upgrades recommended to just the roof are estimated to cost $67,000.

The building’s heating system has not been serviceable through the past winter and will need replacement prior to operating through the 2016-17 winter season, Kozak says.

Staff are recommending replacement of the existing system with a gas fired air handler at a cost of $264,000.

Funding for the upgrades would come from money previously allocated for a major upgrade to Leir House, which depended on matching grant funding that didn’t materialize.

Kozak notes the upgrades would allow the facility to continue operating for another 10 years, with turf replacement due in the next five to 10 years at a cost estimated to be  up to $250,000.

Alternatively, council could choose to make minimal roof repairs and only replace the mechanical heating system at a cost of $215,000, or use a temporary heating system for the upcoming season and defer repairs to the 2017 budget.

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