Prospera Place

operational

Opportunity Kelowna’s multi-purpose Memorial Arena, built in 1949, had limited capacity and was not suitable for modern conventions and trade shows, lacking fire regulations and raising  safety concerns. The City wished to build a new, larger arena with updated facilities that would attract major sporting events, high caliber entertainment, and contribute to the redevelopment of the city centre. In 1987 the City put a proposal to referendum on whether to build a sports and entertainment facility, but the proposal was rejected in part because of the cost. City council subsequently decided it did not wish to enter into long-term borrowing to fund the arena because of the financial risks involved and instead sought a partnership with the private sector. In 1998 the City entered into an agreement with RG Properties to build the facility. Challenges The development process was lengthy due to many legal hurdles—there were 13 separate but interrelated legal agreements. Innovations The partnership agreement was the first of its kind for a medium sized B.C. community, and the lengthy development process led to changes in the Local Government Act (formerly the Municipal Act). Results The building was completed on-time and on-budget. The building features a single sheet of ice and seats 6,000 for hockey games and 7,500 for entertainment events. RG Properties owns and operates Prospera Place as a private business with an arms-length relationship with the city. The facility will revert to the City at the end of the thirty year agreement. The City has 1,500 hours per year of facility time during the agreement. The venue has been voted “Best Concert Venue in Canada under 15,000 seats.”

High