U.S.-based firm could win Prospera Place contract

GSL Group, a U.S.-based firm that has managed Kelowna’s Prospera Place for over two decades, is demanding transparency regarding how the American company Oakview Group Canada secured the top ranking bid for the next contract when the current one ends in 2029. Graham Lee, the president and CEO of GSL Group, expressed his concern to Global News, stating that the public deserves to know the competing bids and the reasoning behind the city's decision.

The city announced Oakview Group Canada as the successful bidder in October, despite the fact that the company is American-owned.

Lee revealed that the public could have access to the competing bids and the rationale behind the city's choice if the information were released. He emphasized the importance of this transparency, especially given the federal and provincial governments' push for Canadian companies to participate in government procurement. GSL Group made its bid public online, offering to charge $75,000 per year to manage Prospera Place while returning 97% of the profits to the arena.

The incumbent mayor, Tom Dyas, was unable to comment on camera due to a busy schedule, but the city issued a statement confirming that Oakview Group, which also manages the South Okanagan Event Centre, was the top-ranked selection. The city added that a contract has not yet been finalized and that once the process is complete, they may release high-level information, including the overall contract value and a general description of the services to be provided.

Ron Cannan, a mayoral candidate and former councillor, expressed his desire to review procurement policies, despite having been part of the council that made the decision on the new operator. He stated that while the decision was made in-camera, he could not comment on it. However, Cannan has been advocating for a review of procurement policies.