Breaking ground on historic, new $242 million Parkinson Rec Centre

Kelowna is breaking ground on what’s being called the most ambitious and transformative facility project in the city’s history — the redevelopment of the Parkinson Recreation Centre.

Set to open in 2027, the new $242.2 million facility is part of the Building a Stronger Kelowna initiative, a series of efforts aimed at strengthening community connections across the city.

Various dignitaries were on hand for the ceremonial dig with shovels at the Apple Bowl Wednesday afternoon.

"It's been ten years in the works," said Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas. "In 2023, council was able to decide that we were going to advance this project in conjunction with what's going on in Glenmore, Mission, and Rutland. So it's going to have a big impact on different sections of our community.

When complete, the redeveloped Parkinson Recreation Centre will include a 25-metre x 10 lane pool, leisure pool, hot tub, cold plunge, steam room, sauna, three full-sized gyms, fitness centre, a running/walking track, fitness studios, multi-purpose rooms, food services and the ORL express library. The facility will have five times more athletic space, two and a half times more aquatic space, and three times as many program than the existing PRC. The 19.4-hectare park, the equivalent of 20 football fields, will include six sports fields, 24 pickleball courts, connections to the Apple Bowl and Mill Creek, park space, and access to the Okanagan Rail Trail.

The city has long acknowledged that the existing recreation centre has reached the end of its usable life, particularly from an environmental standpoint.

"It's one of our greatest polluters because of the potiental breakdown associated with regards to the pool and the facility itself," Dyas said. "It doesn't allow us the opportunity to wait any longer. It would be nice if building costs decrease over a period of time, but substantially, our population is going up. So you got to make a decision somewhere along the line in order to advance things."

The centre’s design emphasizes sustainability, innovation, and community collaboration, including with Indigenous partners. It will prioritize minimal disruption to current programs while supporting climate goals with energy-efficient features and better transportation access for walking, cycling and transit.

The new facility will offer state-of-the-art amenities that support rehabilitation, enhance programming, promote healthy living, and inspire local athletes.

The surrounding 19.4-hectare park — about the size of 20 football fields — will feature an integrated transportation network, improved connections to the Apple Bowl, reconfigured parking for around 700 vehicles, multi-use green spaces, accessible playgrounds, and outdoor fitness equipment. It also integrates with the Mill Creek restoration project and includes outdoor childcare spaces that meet provincial standards.

Mayor Tom Dyas says the redeveloped park is designed for the entire community and will be a destination for residents and visitors from across the region.

“This park is for the whole community. Whether it be the childcare, the library, all of those other components, so that there's a little something to be there for all members of our community. "

The new Parkinson Rec Centre is scheduled to open in 2027.