City Council has given staff the go-ahead to start planning for a new public safety and protective services building.
“The Civic Places & Spaces plan provided a road map on how we can make sound investments in future facilities that provide the services the community expects,” says Mayor John Vassilaki. “The review was clear on the need to replace the current home of Fire Hall #1 and that the RCMP detachment is operating at close to capacity. By approving this recommendation, it allows us to begin the work in a thoughtful way and to continue engaging with residents to ensure the best facility to support public safety services for decades to come.”
The new building would replace Fire Hall #1 and be home to the Penticton Fire Department, Community Policing, Bylaw Services, the Emergency Operations Centre and Emergency Support Services. Council approved the project plan which will see an investment of $75,000 in the first phase to help determine the scope and complete a needs assessment and identify potential lands for the facility.
As the project proceeds, staff is also noting the opportunity to build affordable housing options with in the Public Safety and Protective Services Centre.
“Within a multi-storey building, in particularly downtown, a facility that can be home to the City’s emergency and protective services needs in addition to a range of affordable housing opportunities is a unique opportunity that should be investigated,” reads the report.
Phase 1 is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Completion of the project is scheduled for late in 2025.
The building is the first of the recommendations from the Civic Places & Spaces asset and amenity management plan to advance to the planning stage.