The City of Kelowna is looking to create a shortlist of companies able to operate Prospera Place and other city sports facilities.
A request for qualifications (RFQ) was posted on the city’s website at the beginning of the month with a deadline of Sept. 10.
“The city is seeking private sector entities interested in partnering with the city in the management of Prospera Place to include management, operations, booking/programming, sales, food & beverage, and other needs, as well as partnership opportunities associated with other existing and future city entertainment and recreational assets,” the RFQ states.
The RFQ is the first step in a process to find a new operator for the downtown arena once the current 30-year agreement with GSL Group expires in 2029.
It makes good on a promise made by Mayor Tom Dyas at the beginning of the year to sever tieswith GSL, the company that built the arena back in 1999.
The city informed GSL in January of its intentions to seek a new operator with that process beginning “shortly.”
That process is now underway.
“The submitter must be of the highest quality, ensure a high standard of guest experience, provide sound facility and fiscal management, deliver extensive event content, develop and maintain a positive working relationship with the Kelowna Rockets, work with the city in pursuit of major events, maximize all revenue sources and minimize operating expenses,” the RFQ further indicated.
While that is taking place the city is also preparing to go to tender for $3.7 million in upgrades to the arena in support of the Rockets bid to host the 2026 Memorial Cup.
