A fire at the beginning of July caused extensive smoke damage to Vengeance Fitness and Kobau Lanes. RCMP are investigating the fire as arson. (Richard McGuire file photo)
Vengeance Fitness and the Kobau Lanes bowling alley could be reopened in December if all goes well.
That’s the word from Dan Tarasewich, owner of the building that suffered heavy smoke damage in a fire at the beginning of July. The RCMP are investigating the fire as arson.
Tarasewich expects the interior of the building to start being stripped out this week.
“We had to have some engineering stuff done inside,” he said. “That is all completed. We’re looking at reopening everything within about a month and a half.”
The building needs to be completely redone inside and all smoke damage must be removed, said Tarasewich. The smoke damage, he said, was extensive.
“It’s going to be a full cleaning and redo inside,” he said. “It will be a very good nice finish on the inside.”
Tarasewich said it took a while to deal with the insurance because it was necessary to do engineering to make sure there was no structural damage. The insurance is now settled and contractors are waiting to get started.
Customers who had memberships at the gym will have their memberships fully honoured and extended from the date the gym reopens, he said.
The RCMP’s arson investigation is still ongoing, Tarasewich said, adding that he has suspicions about who was behind the fire, but can’t say anything.
“I know they’ve had a big investigation crew on it, which has been wonderful,” said Tarasewich. “I know at the end of the day whoever did this will get caught.”
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
