The Sun Bowl Arena is becoming wheelchair accessible with the installation of a new lift. (File photo)
By Vanessa Broadbent
Osoyoos Times
A new lift at Sun Bowl Arena will increase the venue’s wheelchair accessibility.
At their meeting at the end of last month, Osoyoos town council voted to install a platform lift at Sun Bowl Arena, instead of at Desert Park like originally planned.
In 2018, a tender to install an elevator at Desert Park was awarded to Kirkwood Elevators. However, after receiving the tender the business told Town staff the project would cost an estimate of over $56,500, instead of the $32,500 obtained by a grant.
Instead of moving forward with a cheaper contract, director of Community Services Gerald Davis suggested that the project instead be moved to Sun Bowl Arena, and a lift for Desert Park be included in the 2020 budget.
“Having this area accessible is important, however at this point in time there are no planned events at Desert Park for 2019,” he said.
• Read more: Town hoping to attract more food truck vendors
The International Curling Club was also considered as a site for the lift, but not chosen because of low clearance and a lack of support walls.
Having both areas accessible is the “ultimate goal,” Davis said, but noted both facilities benefit from having the lift at Sun Bowl Arena.
As outlined in a quote from Garaventa Lift, the inclined platform lift up the stairs to the mezzanine at the arena will cost $40,000.
Coun. Myers Bennett supported moving the project to Sun Bowl Arena, noting that many family members of children in local figure skating or minor hockey associations will benefit from the increased accesibility.
“There’s a lot of people in wheelchairs that have grandkids or kids or want to watch the Coyotes and can’t currently,” he said. “I think this is a good win-win situation for both parties.”
“I think it’s a nice compromise,” mayor Sue McKortoff added.
