The City has taken another step forward in its Civic Places & Spaces strategy, with Council endorsing the submission of a grant application and a funding strategy to be considered during budget deliberations this fall. This strategy is a long-term plan to modernize community infrastructure. The Fire Hall Renewals project aims to replace aging facilities with safer, more functional spaces that better support emergency response and the people who rely on it.
The initiative includes building new Fire Hall Headquarters at the Fire Hall #2 site and upgrading Fire Hall #1 to serve as a satellite station and Emergency Operations Centre. These upgrades will replace outdated infrastructure with modern, purpose-built facilities that meet today’s standards for emergency response, firefighter health and safety, and community resilience.
“This is more than just a bricks-and-mortar project — it’s about building a safer, more resilient Penticton,” says Kelsey Johnson, general manager of community services. “These facilities will support our Fire Services teams with modern, energy-efficient spaces that reflect the professionalism and dedication they bring to our community every day.”
The project responds to priorities identified in the City’s Civic Places & Spaces strategy and reflects years of planning, technical analysis and community input. It will improve emergency response times, provide safer working conditions for firefighters, and ensure the City is prepared for future emergencies.
“Our facilities have reached the end of their useful life,” said Fire Chief Mike Larsson. “We’ve adapted as best we can, but the reality is we need modern infrastructure to meet the growing needs of our community. This project will allow us to respond faster, train better, and keep our crews and residents safer.”
The total investment is estimated at $38 million and the City will apply for up to $7 million in funding through the Strategic Priorities Fund. The funding strategy for the annual debt payments will be included in the upcoming 2026–2030 financial plan budget deliberations later this fall.
The project will be delivered using an Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) model, which brings together architects, contractors and City staff under a single agreement to ensure collaboration, cost certainty and shared accountability.
For more information about this project, visit: shapeyourcitypenticton.ca/civic-places-and-spaces.