Penticton's Civic Spaces and Places strategy is a long-term plan for maintaining our civic infrastructure in a way that is fiscally responsible, continues the deliver quality services and supports our goals for a sustainable community. These initiatives reflect years of planning, technical analysis and community input.
Council has prioritized the following four projects:
- Fire Hall upgrades
- Twin Arenas
- Arts and Cultural Centre
- City Hall upgrades
Fire Hall Renewals
Penticton is moving ahead with major upgrades to our City’s aging fire halls – facilities that have reached the end of their useful life and no longer meets the demands of modern emergency response. The project includes construction of a new Fire Hall Headquarters facility at the of Hall No. 2 (Dawson Avenue) and upgrading Fire Hall No. 1 with safer, more functional spaces that better support emergency response and the people who rely on it.
Fire Hall Headquarters (Hall 2 – Dawson Avenue)
The facility is an approximately 26,300 sq. ft., two-storey post-disaster Fire Hall Headquarters that will accommodate Fire Administration, Fire Prevention, the Training Division, and Fire Suppression operations while providing capacity for regional firefighter training. The Fire Hall Headquarters will include a strong focus on sustainability, resiliency, and firefighter wellness. Key features include rooftop solar panels, emergency backup power, decontamination facilities, energy-efficient building systems and wellness spaces to support the mental and physical health of firefighters. These investments will help reduce long-term operating costs, improve energy efficiency and ensure reliable service during emergencies and natural disasters.
View the preliminary renderings
Twin Arenas
The recommendation for the Twin Arenas was well supported by most of the participants in the public engagement process, recognizing the growing need for space across a variety of user groups. Planning for future needs and understanding the sustainability of existing facilities is a focus of the work currently being undertaken. Staff are examining the potential for a twin pad arena on the grounds of the South Okanagan Events Centre.
Arts and Cultural Centre
The third recommendation in the Civic Spaces and Places report, for a combined Arts & Culture Centre, saw broad support for a new building that would house the Library/Museum, Art Gallery and arts organizations.
While participants who are familiar with the facilities recognize the need for new, modern space, it was acknowledged more work was needed on the feasibility of consolidating these uses in a central location, the adequacy of a potential site to accommodate the range of uses and the ability to properly serve the needs of each group. Work on this project is in the early stages of development.
City Hall Upgrades
The fourth recommendation, related to upgrades to City Hall, was largely supported, with participants liking the idea of keeping the facility downtown and understanding the need for upgrades to the facility which is nearly 60-year-old. This project is in the earliest stage of development as the focus is on the higher priorities.
Community Engagement
The City hosted five community events, more than 20 meetings with community groups and a feedback form to collect community comments and recommendations. Read about the community engagement process.
Learn about the engagement process and view more related documents