Multi-million dollar revitalization plan for Kelowna乌鸦传媒檚 Prospera Place

Current owner-operator GSL Group also prepared to invest millions to enhance a Memorial Cup bid

Gary Barnes Jan 31, 2024 1:10 PM

web1_240208-kcn-gsl-proposal-prosperaplace_1 — Conceptual rendering of a revitalized Prospera Place that was included in a letter from GSL Group to the City of Kelowna. (GSL Group photo)

GSL Group has laid out an $18 to $22 million revitalization plan for Prospera Place.

乌鸦传媒淭hat乌鸦传媒檚 what we want to do, increase the overall experience in the building,乌鸦传媒� said President and CEO Graham Lee during a news conference Jan. 31. 乌鸦传媒淎s well as providing benefits for the Kelowna Rockets and increasing the chances to winning a bid for the Memorial Cup.乌鸦传媒�

Lee said improvements include expansion of the south end of the arena, including new dressing rooms, a mezzanine, and possibly new seats.

There are also plans to expand the food court, create restaurant suites, improve concourse lighting, and replace premium bowl seats.

Specific to a possible Memorial Cup bid improvements include a new centre-hung LED four-sided screen and score clock, new flat panel displays throughout the concourse, and a new sound system.

Lee said the final cost depends on all improvement being completed, and estimates construction would take seven to nine months.

乌鸦传媒淚 think we could amortize this over 15 years and the cost would be shared between the city and us of around $2 million a year.乌鸦传媒�

The proposal was sent to the city on Jan. 30, but Lee said he has not yet had a response.

乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 up to the city in the end, if they want to discuss it further we乌鸦传媒檙e open to that.乌鸦传媒�

The city announced on Jan. 25 that it had informed GSL Group it was looking for a new operator for Prospera Place.

READ MORE: City of Kelowna pursues new operator of Prospera PlaceLee was asked about the status of GSL乌鸦传媒檚 relationship with the city.

乌鸦传媒淵ou乌鸦传媒檒l have to ask them. They asked us for a proposal which we submitted. So that was a surprise.乌鸦传媒�

He added that Prospera Place is still relevant today.

乌鸦传媒淚 would agree though that there are things that we could enhance the user experience with.乌鸦传媒�

The city乌鸦传媒檚 agreement with GSL expires in 2029, and Lee said he乌鸦传媒檚 unsure if his company would be involved after that if the city moves on with a new operator.

Black Press has reached out to the city for comment and is waiting for a response.

About the Author: Gary Barnes

Journalist and broadcaster for three decades.

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