Revelstoke’s Multipurpose Facility has gone through enough name changes, council meetings, community feedback and general conversation that those born in Revelstoke and new to town might be equally as lost on the status of the future facility slated to replace the current Revelstoke Forum.
The proposed project, still in early stages of planning, has been a key topic in recent budget talks and five year plans for the city.
The Revelstoke Mountaineer sat down with Laurie Donato, Revelstoke’s director of parks, recreation and culture to chat updates and insights on what the next couple of years might bring.
Revelstoke Forum’s future
Revelstoke Forum’s current roof was the push to finally start considering replacing the whole building instead of continuing patchwork maintenance. Yearly, a contractor is brought on by the city to manage snow removal for the Revelstoke Forum and costs are estimated in each budget on what next season might need.
“We don’t know how long we can do that for,” Donato explained.
The city has attempted to go the route of repairing and updating the forum’s roof alone. Losing out on a $10 million grant in early 2020 that could have covered the estimated $7 million needed to upgrade the roof, plus a poor assessment of the entire building was the final nail in the coffin, Donato said.
While the roof is the main stressor for the current Revelstoke Forum, it’s only the first in a list of updates, accessibility modifications and repairs needed for the beloved space that was built in the 60s.
“You go to any event there and you can tell it’s not functioning the way we need it to,” Donato said, pointing to small locker rooms, lack of storage within the facility, a too-small concession stand, multiple accessibility issues and general end-of-life-cycle issues for a building of that age.
A question of cost
The proposed multipurpose facility has gone through a number of identity changes as the project grows with community feedback. Names have shifted from multiplex and multisport to finally settling on multipurpose as a way to catch any and all organizations that will use the facility while keeping the door open for other additions down the road. The main goal remains the same no matter the name; increase the available usable indoor space for organizations in Revelstoke.
“We are so short on space for so many different uses,” Donato agreed. The challenge is how to balance a growing community’s needs with its financial ability. Especially when what started as a conversation about replacing the roof of the Revelstoke Forum has evolved over time to be about a new facility that many are hoping could solve some recreational issues in the city.
“[A larger facility] comes with a big price tag,” Donato said. “It’s great if the community is ready to accept that and prepared for the financial consequences of a facility like that. We just have to be cautious on what that looks like. We have to really do our due diligence at the beginning of the process.”
Long term costs are also front-of-mind in plans to map out the future facility, including weather-proofing for Revelstoke’s climate.
“We can’t give folks a price tag now when we don’t even know what’s going to be in it. That’s where our advisory committee comes in, conversations with the community [and] getting an idea of what people want to see can present to them options and a cost breakdown.”
While it can be difficult getting the necessary ranges of input in and planning out something that can offer a little bit for everyone, Donato is determined to get it right for the community to have options and know what’s possible.
“I don’t want this to be a shock to people when they see the price tag. This is going to be a big commitment, we need everyone on board with the plan. I don’t want people feeling like they were pressured into this, that this wasn’t what they had in mind.”
Revelstoke’s multipurpose facility goals
The Revelstoke Roller Derby and Revelstoke Boxing Club are just two of the organizations wondering if a permanent home might be available in the new multipurpose facility. The loss of indoor spaces since the shuttering and demolition of Mount Begbie elementary school has been a struggle, Donato admits. She hopes the new facility will fill that void and provide multi-use rooms for the community. While she’s willing to see what the community is looking for and discuss needed ice and arena spaces, there’s one particular feature Donato wants to see the future multipurpose facility offer.
“I think a running track would be so beneficial, and it’s a low cost add-on,” she said. “It’s a no-brainer, based on our winter season.”
Paying homage to the Revelstoke Forum, a building beloved by the community and part of numerous stories in Revelstoke is also part of the plans for the future multipurpose facility. While initial talks wondered if there was a way to incorporate the current forum into the new building, those were abandoned early on for feasibility reasons. Donato is still sure there is a way to include the character and history of the Revelstoke Forum into whatever new facility takes its place.
“So many events and celebrations and community moments happened in that building. It’s going to be a big deal when we finally have to bring it down. I hope we can capture the spirit of the forum in the multipurpose facility.”
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