Here's the proposed multi-million dollar upgrade for Prospera Place

GSL Group has outlined its proposal for up to $22 million in upgrades to Prospera Place as it seeks a new long term operating agreement with the city.

However, the mayor has reiterated his commitment for a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) process among potential tenders as it seeks a new partner.

The city’s 30-year agreement with GSL expires in 2029.

Speaking to the company’s proposed investment of between $18 million and $22 million for improvements, President and CEO Graham Lee said he wants the city to share that cost over a 15-year pay pack period.

“I think this is the basis of a best deal [for the city],” Lee told Kelowna10. “We’ve tried to put together a very practical solution that doesn’t become a burden on the taxpayers.”

The work would include an expansion to Gate 1, revitalized food court, new restaurant suites, and an expansion to the south end of the arena including new dressing rooms. Premium bowl seats would also be replaced.

He said the work could be done inside seven months.

The terms of their existing agreement makes the city responsible for capital repairs and upgrades to the facility, which are sorely needed.

However, Lee has committed to spending a further $2.3 million specifically for lighting, audio and visual technology for the arena that would enhance a future Memorial Cup bid from the Kelowna Rockets WHL team. A previous bid failed because the arena required those upgrades.

In seeking a new deal Lee highlighted GSL Group’s relationship with major event and show producers as a reason for the city to stick with them. He highlighted how the band TOOL for example, played a relatively small market such as Kelowna recently because of his company’s relationship with worldwide events company AEG.

Meanwhile, as GSL goes public with its proposal, the mayor of Kelowna is repeating his commitment that all interested parties would be able to apply to operate Prospera Place though an RFP process as the city seeks a new partner.

“Our Request For Proposals will set out what specifics we’re looking for and then we’ll open that bidding process,” Tom Dyas said.

He explained it would be unfair for him to comment on the GSL proposal as he had not had a chance to study it in depth and “... how all those numbers calculate out and what the offsets are for those numbers.

“I know our finance team will eventually have an opportunity to look at whether there is a strong proponent there or whether there is not.”