Central Kootenay invites three firms to propose designs for Castlegar arena

The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) Board approved a motion to invite the three highest‑ranked qualified proponents—Scott Builders, Smith Bros. & Wilson, and Kalesnikoff Mass Timber—to take part in a negotiated request for proposals for the Castlegar & District Arena and Walking Track Project. Each firm will be paid a $50,000 honorarium if they submit a proposal.

The RDCK increased the total honorarium budget to $150,000, with additional contributions from the City of Castlegar ($37,000) and Electoral Area J ($13,000). The design‑build contract is capped at $15 million, and naming rights may be offered to offset costs. A public‑engagement budget of up to $45,000 will be managed by HCMA Architecture & Design, pending a referendum. Castlegar City Council has set aside $116,000 for pre‑construction work, including a geotechnical assessment. A voter referendum in Castlegar and Area J will be required to finance the arena, which is needed after the 67‑year‑old Pioneer Arena was demolished in August 2025, leaving the community with only one sheet of ice.