Looking at the list of entertainment and sporting names that have headlined in Penticton, you might think you were looking at a much bigger city. But the South Okanagan Events Centre (SOEC) stands as a testament to the community's vibrant spirit and passion for sports, entertainment and community engagement.
The SOEC draws crowds from throughout the region, home to a 5,000 seat arena and a 400-seat community rink in the Okanagan Hockey School Training Centre.
The complex, managed by OVG360, also encompasses a further 2,000 seats in the Memorial Arena, and 95,000 square feet of meeting space, including the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre, the Okanagan Valley’s only full-service convention and trade show venue accommodating groups up to 3,500. The nine-acre property is a bustling hub where locals and visitors alike converge for myriad activities, at the Penticton Curling Club and the adjacent Community Centre, which includes an aquatic complex, fitness facility and Cleland Theatre.
The SOEC hosts an array of events from Championship hockey games to high-profile concerts featuring artists like Bryan Adams, Motley Crue, ZZ Top, Eric Church, Ice Cube and Ringo Starr, or performing groups like Cirque du Soleil and the Harlem Globetrotters.
“The SOEC concerts attract audiences that are 60% out-of-towners. It’s an incredible amenity, on a campus of incredible facilities that set Penticton apart from all other neighbouring communities,” says General Manager Dean Clarke. “People are travelling here to enjoy world-class entertainment. They’re eating dinner, staying in hotels, shopping and taking those stories back home with them.”
See which concerts are coming up
The heart of hockey: BC Hockey Hall of Fame
Within this dynamic complex lies the BC Hockey Hall of Fame (BCHHOF), a treasure trove of hockey history.
Established in 1994, the BCHHOF celebrates the sport's legends, with over 320 display cabinets dedicated to more than 250 players and teams. This captivating exhibition of jerseys, photographs, and memorabilia, meticulously curated by Executive Director Pat Loyer, offers an intimate look into the lives and achievements of hockey's finest in British Columbia.
The BCHHOF is not just a museum; it's an active participant in the community, supporting various local initiatives and hosting an annual gala that brings the hockey community together. It's a symbol of pride for Penticton, echoing the city's commitment to celebrating its rich sports heritage and fostering a sense of community.
Indoor walking track
The Indoor Walking Track sees over 12,000 users per year and it also serves as a valuable destination for a variety of special needs groups. Each lap is .27 km and provides a safe, temperature-regulated environment when the weather outside is too hot or too cold. The walking track is open Mondays through Fridays from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (holidays excepted). More information can be found on the website.
A community-centric approach
Clarke further explains: “What we can attract and host here is the result of very bold visions by the leaders of the day in the early 2000’s. Now, in our 15th year of operation we can really look back and see the positive impact of this kind of visioning on our community.”
With a staff comprising both full-time professionals, as well as part-time pensioners and enthusiastic young workers, the SOEC fosters a sense of belonging and growth. Its community-centric approach is evident in initiatives like the volunteer-operated concessions and event parking services, which have funnelled $35,000 back into local charities, and its operation as a warming and cooling centre in times of extreme weather.
@start.here.penticton