Nelson, BC: The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) Board has approved advancing the proposed Castlegar & District Arena and Walking Track Project to the next stage of the procurement process by inviting Scott Builders Inc., Smith Bros. & Wilson (Construction) Ltd., and Kalesnikoff Mass Timber Inc. to participate in the Negotiated Request for Proposals (NRFP) part of the process.
The three qualified proponents will have the opportunity to develop detailed design-build proposals, helping determine whether the community’s vision for a second arena and walking track can be delivered within the project’s budget before residents are asked to vote in a referendum.
While the original procurement strategy anticipated advancing two proponents, the Board approved inviting a third qualified team to strengthen competition, reduce procurement risk and provide greater confidence in testing whether the project can be delivered within the $15 million construction budget. The additional cost of advancing a third proponent will be funded by the City of Castlegar and Electoral Area J.
Referendum Timeline Updated
As planning has progressed, several important pieces of work have required additional time, which has pushed the referendum date back from November 28, 2026, to February 6, 2027.
Residents can expect the following key milestones over the coming months:
- Mid-August 2026: NRFP issued to participants
- September 9, 2026: Participants intent to submit design-build proposal deadline
- November 4, 2026: Design-build proposal submission deadline
- Late November 2026: Preferred proponent selected
- December 2026 – February 2027: Public engagement
- February 6, 2027: Referendum (general voting day for City of Castlegar and Electoral Area J)
The revised timeline is expected to provide a more realistic schedule while maintaining momentum on the project. Staff do not anticipate the change will materially affect the overall construction schedule should the project receive voter approval.
The RDCK is committed to keeping residents informed throughout the process. Staff provide monthly updates on this project to the Castlegar & District Recreation Commission, and the public is welcome to attend. The next Commission meeting is Tuesday, September 1 at 4:00pm, online or in person at the Castlegar & District Community Complex. This is a great opportunity to stay informed on the project’s progress.
For meeting details to join the next Commission meeting, visit rdck.ca/commissions.
For more information about Castlegar & District Arena and Walking Track Project, visit engage.rdck.ca.
About the Castlegar & District Arena and Walking Track Project
The Castlegar & District Arena and Walking Track Project is an RDCK initiative stemming from the Reimagining Recreation community engagement process conducted between April 2024 and March 2025. Through that process, residents of the City of Castlegar and Electoral Area J identified support for a tax increase to fund a new secondary indoor arena and walking track. In June 2025, the Castlegar & District Recreation Commission directed staff to advance planning for the potential facility, including the development of a new service bylaw encompassing City of Castlegar and Electoral Area J residents that would fund construction, long-term borrowing, and asset renewal of the new amenities at the Castlegar & District Community Complex.