In the latest update on Nelson’s Civic Centre repairs, the City of Nelson has revealed that the building’s structural deficiencies will require millions more in investments to repair.
The update comes in advance of the city entering a joint engagement process in November, led by the Nelson & District Recreation Commission, which the city says will focus on the future of recreation in Nelson.
The urgent need for further investment was revealed during structural and geotechnical assessments conducted on the Civic Centre, Civic Arena, and Curling Rink. There has yet to be a detailed assessment conducted on the Indoor Soccer Facility, but the city says it may also require significant investment.
“The upcoming engagement opportunity comes as several of our existing recreation facilities are undergoing urgent repairs, with others in need of millions of dollars of investment,” said Janice Morrison, Mayor of the City of Nelson.
“Before making any decisions on further investments in these aging facilities, we would like to hear residents’ hopes for recreation opportunities in our community.”
Since 2017, the city has spent around $200,000 annually in capital maintenance and an additional $1.4 million in capital improvements on these facilities. The required work was revealed during a 2017 Facility Condition Index (FCI), which recommended the need for action.
Then, in 2023 and 2024, the city engaged consultants to complete detailed structural investigations of the facilities, which identified major structural deficiencies.
The first project to address these deficiencies and renew the facilities is currently underway at the Civic Centre, which has required a $5.3 million investment for the necessary structural repairs as well as seismic and energy upgrades.
In conjunction with this project, the Nelson Civic Theatre Society (NCTS) is planning to invest $4.2 million in transitioning to a three-screen movie theatre.
Civic Centre structural repairs –
Emergency roof repairs and energy and seismic upgrades are nearing completion at the Civic Centre, including required seismic work at the Civic Arena.
The work is happening concurrently, as the facilities were built together circa 1935 and share a common wall.
The work will bring the Civic Centre up to current snow load and seismic building code requirements and increase its energy efficiency.
Civic Arena –
The Civic Arena will require additional roof repairs at a later date.
A structural assessment on the Civic Arena completed in the summer of 2024 identified the need to increase the strength of the existing roof structure to meet snow loads. Initial structural design has been completed to address the structural deficiencies. In the interim, a snow-monitoring program that may result in additional closures will be in place for the winter.
Curling Rink –
The city conducted an initial structural assessment and geotechnical review of the Curling Centre in the summer of 2024, which showed issues with the foundation, the walls, and the roof structure.
Like the Civic Centre and Civic Arena, the city says the roof structure will need to be strengthened to meet snow loads. Due to these deficiencies, this facility is closed at this time.
Indoor Soccer Facility –
A structural review will be completed in 2025.
Built in 1935, the Civic Centre, Civic Arena, and Soccer Facility are aging and require multi-million-dollar investments over the coming years.
The upcoming Nelson and Area Recreation Commission engagement process is your chance to have your say in the future of indoor recreation in the City of Nelson. Details on this engagement process will be released in the coming days.
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