New arena needed in Merritt to keep BCHL franchise

MERRITT — The math is both simple and utterly complicated for the city of Merritt.

The simple part, build a new arena to replace the aging Nicola Valley Memorial Arena (NVMA) and keep the BCHL’s longest continuously run franchise in town.

The complicated part, finding the grants and help needed to fund a multi-million dollar project in a community still rebuilding from the devastating 2021 floods.

To that end, Mayor Mike Goetz has confirmed in a letter to Merritt Centennials leadership that he will be recommending to council in early 2024 that a committee be formed with the stated goal “to investigate the feasibility of building a new sports complex in the municipality in the next five to seven years.”

It goes on to state that the steps identified would go forward for consideration to both the community and council.