Huge $242 million rec centre redevelopment 'will be on budget'

The City of Kelowna says the huge, $242-million dollar redevelopment of the Parkinson Recreation Centre will be completed on budget.

The city's Dereck Edstrom said all partners on the project had signed off on an agreement that it would be completed for the agreed sum and extensive efforts had been made to eliminate the risk of any overruns.

"What I can confirm is we have a design that meets the functional program and the conditions for satisfaction that council has set out," he said during a presentation Monday. "We can confirm we are able to deliver this on budget and the team has signed off on an agreement that they will deliver on budget."

The project includes $180 million on the construction of the new two-storey building and $62 million for the large outdoor footprint on the whole site.

Plans call for construction to start this year with completion set for 2027.

City councillor Mohini Singh captured the mood and excitement among local lawmakers when shown the initial plans for the huge undertaking.

"This is truly a made-in-Kelowna project; this is a legacy project for the city," she said, noting councillors and other officials had gone to the Lower Mainland to view similar-sized and scope facilities to get ideas for the right fit.

"It doesn't come cheap, I get that. But we're preparing for the city of tomorrow for a generation that hasn't been born yet. Honestly, it's money well spent," Singh said.

When complete the new Parkinson Rec Centre will have fives times more athletic space, 2.5 times more aquatic space, and three times as many programs.

The centre will feature a 25 metre 10-lane pool and leisure pool among its aquatic assets, a running track on the upper level, and 24 pickleball courts as part of the outdoor redevelopment.

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