After operating for 58 years with a temporary wall, the City of Kimberley is moving ahead with the Civic Centre North Wall Replacement project.

In addition to the wall being replaced, the upper walkways are being connected to create a walking circuit. A proper Zamboni room and workshop are options that will also be added to the project.

The contract for $576,000 has been awarded to Tyee Log Homes of Kimberley. The successful bidder was chosen through the design-build procurement method, which asks contractors to propose innovative solutions to a particular problem. The contractors’ submissions were then scored by a committee based on local preference, qualifications and experience, functional design, aesthetic design and price.

This is a different procurement method than the city paying an architect for the completed design, putting out a tender, and then asking the contractors to bid on the design.

The city has received a grant for $350,000 from Columbia Basin Trust, and a further $50,000 from the Federal Enabling Accessibility Fund. The remaining funding for the project will be from the Kimberley Infrastructure Reserve.

“A building with the historical significance of the Civic Arena demands emphasis be placed on the best idea for constructing the wall, not necessarily the lowest cost as in most competitive processes,” stated Chief Administrative Officer Scott Sommerville. “We are looking forward to building the walkway to complete a walking track, where residents can exercise and socialize during the winter months when icy conditions make outdoor walking a risky option.”

The north wall of the Civic Arena was built as a temporary measure in 1959. The log columns that support the wall are deteriorating, and an engineering study from 2010 showed that the wall is at risk from lateral wind loads. Engineering studies have also confirmed that the rest of the arena’s structure is sound, and that investment in the arena makes sense in the long run.

City of Kimberley

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