'Visionary, multigenerational’ thinking needed for new Parkinson Rec Centre

• $130 million price tag
• Most expensive project in Kelowna's history
• Facility will last for decades says mayor

A new Parkinson Recreation Centre (PRC) could be nearly two-and-a-half times as large and now is the perfect time to move ahead with it.

That comes according to a report put before Kelowna lawmakers Monday, detailing plans for what, if approved, would be the most expensive project in the city’s history.

“Never before has the need to access the benefits of recreation been more pronounced than now - in the grips of the global COVID19 pandemic,” the report said. “The public’s connection with and support for parks, recreation and community sport has been significantly intensified and is critical to the health, wellbeing and quality of lives of all Kelowna residents.”

The price tag for a new rec centre is pegged at over $130 million, though the exact details need to be ironed out, which is expected in the coming months.

When discussing the topic Monday at city hall, lawmakers did not shy away from a need to be visionaries, look to the future, and think multigenerational when it comes to planning.

“I know we are going to get pushback to say just build a facility that’s good enough for today. But we can’t. We can’t open up a facility that tomorrow is going to be too small,” Mayor Colin Basran said. “I appreciate that the numbers being talked about right now are substantial, we have to remember this facility is going to last us decades.”

His colleagues agreed, with Coun. Luke Stack highlighting the H2O Centre as a shining example of long-term planning done right.

“I don’t think I’ve ever heard a Kelowna citizen look back and say, ‘gosh, I wish we made it smaller,’” he said. “It was a big tax impact if I recall, too. But it was the right decision.”

‘Well past expiry date’

The PRC was built in 1972 and is deemed “in poor condition, inefficient and undersized.”

The report said it would “require a multi-million-dollar investment to remain in service” and building a new centre is “a better strategic investment for Kelowna’s future than retrofitting and renovating the existing facility any further.”

A new facility could be more than 136,000 sq/ft, up from just 51,000 today. The largest proposed increase will come in the athletic program, growing from 10,000 sq/ft to over 48,000. It will contain one competition and two recreation gyms, as well as a fitness centre.

An eight lane, 25 metre pool and leisure centre are proposed alongside a wellness and therapy pool.

Creating a recreation centre that is a “true community hub” will be key, staff say. A bounty of public feedback, gathered through several surveys and stakeholder discussions, will drive the bulk of design.

Amenities to help animate the centre will be considered, such as retail and interesting displays, including an extension or relocation of the Central Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame.

Details remain to be determined on where the building will be located, thought its anticipated to be on the same site. Options are expected to come before lawmakers in the months ahead.

The report said talks with School Division 23 continue, as it owns land north of the current facility and plans to build a new school there in the near future.

With new revenue opportunities made available, when taking that into account with the economy of scale, the report said the operating costs will be almost inline with that of the existing PRC.

Funding will be a mixture of federal and provincial dollars, taxation, and long-term borrowing. Rough timelines could see the facility online sometime after 2024, but no specific date was provided.

Lawmakers unanimously signed off on the Guiding Principles and Functional Program that will steer the redevelopment of the PRC for the time being.