Regional District of Nanaimo transferring District 69 Arena to City of Parksville
Posted in: News Item
Date Posted: 2021-01-06
Organization Name: Regional District of Nanaimo
Location: Nanaimo
The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) is transferring ownership of the District 69 Arena to the City of Parksville in early January 2021. The RDN board, City of Parksville council and Parksville Curling Club Society, which operates the arena, determined that a transfer of ownership of the District 69 Arena from the RDN to the City of Parksville will provide administrative efficiencies for all parties. The RDN and City of Parksville are currently finalizing the agreement.
The District 69 Arena was built by the RDN in Parksville Community Park in the early 1970s and used as a public arena for three decades. Following the construction of the RDN’s Oceanside Place in 2003, the curling club leased the arena and has operated it primarily as a curling rink ever since.
“The curling club has been exceptional in their efforts to fund, maintain, and manage the District 69 Arena,” said RDN Chair Tyler Brown. “We are pleased they will continue to operate the facility and provide Oceanside residents with a dedicated place to curl when it can re-open to the public.”
The City of Parksville leases the land the arena sits on to the RDN in five-year terms per parkland covenant restrictions. The RDN leases the arena to the curling club. A single, new lease between the city and the curling club will replace the existing leases. The RDN will have no further interests in the District 69 Arena once the transfer is complete.
“The city is pleased we will now be able to simplify the ownership of the building and be in a position to work directly with our local curling club for the ongoing operation of the facility for the community,” said Parksville Mayor Ed Mayne.
“The Parksville Curling Club would like to thank the RDN for such a positive working relationship over the years. We look forward to having an equally positive working relationship with the City of Parksville,” said Penny Shantz, President, Parksville Curling Club Society. “With this new five-year lease under one ownership, it broadens our future building grants and also opens our doors to future national and international events. Thank you to both the City of Parksville and the RDN for making this happen!”
The District 69 Arena is a 500 seat facility that features five curling sheets and can accommodate 40 curlers at a time. The arena has dedicated ice from September through March and is used for events and other activities during the remainder of the year. District 69 Arena is currently closed due to COVID-19 guidelines. Visit parksvillecurling.com for up to date information on programs and events at the arena.