Updated plans for an outdoor skating rink in Kamloops will be before city council on Tuesday.
A report from staff has circled Riverside Park as the best location for the rink, out of five options that were studied. The report also proposes to make the rink a dual facility with the existing spray park.
“It (the existing spray park) is getting to the end of its life as well, it’s an old system,” capital projects manager, Darren Crundwell says.
“I mean the concrete slab is still decent shape, but we have a lot of things that we need to do on that facility as well, so combining them, we’d basically be sharing the concrete slab.”
The five locations considered included two options at Riverside Park as well as McArthur Island, the Downtown Civic Plaza, and McDonald Park.
The report from staff says the top option at Riverside Park would cost about $120,000 per year to operate.
“McArthur Island and Riverside Park were very close, but when we finally got the numbers back on the capital costs, Riverside was the clear choice so that’s what’s going to council,” he says.
“That’s the recommendation. There are some efficiencies of the proposed location.”
Council will also be deciding whether to seek grant funding which would cover most of the construction costs for an outdoor rink, if approved.