An update on the redevelopment of the Parkinson Recreation Centre at council乌鸦传媒檚 Monday (Mar. 10) meeting drew some pointed questions from one Kelowna councillor.
Senior staff called the project the 乌鸦传媒渉eart of Kelowna乌鸦传媒� and praised an 乌鸦传媒渦nbelievable effort from city departments.乌鸦传媒� Staff also confirmed to council that it will be delivered on budget.
Coun. Ron Cannan asked what metrics will be used to ensure the project stays on budget as promised. General Manager of Infrastructure, Mac Logan, noted that a detailed schedule has been drawn up with the development team and prime contractor.
乌鸦传媒淎s construction on the site is progressing, and you乌鸦传媒檙e completing certain stages of work, you track the percent complete and also the amount of expenditure on a line-by-line basis. The final piece would be the in-service dates for the individual elements, the building itself will obviously be the big one.乌鸦传媒�
Cannan pointed out that it is the largest capital project the city has undertaken. 乌鸦传媒淟ots of eyes are watching, so we want to make sure we don乌鸦传媒檛 have cost overruns,乌鸦传媒� he added.
The cost for just the new PRC building, including site works and access, is $242-$243 million, staff told council. In 2023, Cannan pushed for a referendum to borrow funds to build the facility instead of the Alternative Approval Process that was ultimately used.
Cannan also asked if regional district partners or First Nations would provide any funding for the project. The answer from staff was no.
乌鸦传媒淭he reason I ask is that the City of Vernon has implemented a two-tiered fee structure,乌鸦传媒� he said. 乌鸦传媒淪o those that are local residents pay one rate, and you have a fee for service that can be arranged for our regional partners.乌鸦传媒�
City Manager Doug Gilchrist said that staff will bring a fee discussion to council at a later date. Council previously directed staff to investigate a resident discount rate or non-resident fee at city facilities in 2024. Cannan also asked what became of plans for potential affordable housing on the redeveloped PRC site.
Director of Partnerships and Investments, Derek Edstrom, pointed out that space is at a premium. 乌鸦传媒淥ne thing I can make note of is that on Glenmore Road, staff have acquired two sets of properties to support housing in the area."
Several councillors praised the development. 乌鸦传媒淭his is a legacy project for our city,乌鸦传媒� said Coun. Mohini Singh. 乌鸦传媒淚t doesn乌鸦传媒檛 come cheap, I get that, but we乌鸦传媒檙e preparing for the city of tomorrow. It乌鸦传媒檚 money well spent.乌鸦传媒�
Coun. Gord Lovegrove admitted that he has changed his mind about the project moving forward. 乌鸦传媒淔ive years ago, I wasn乌鸦传媒檛 sure. But I really like where we have come in the short time I乌鸦传媒檝e been on council.乌鸦传媒�
Mayor Tom Dyas gave kudos to staff for their work on the development. 乌鸦传媒淵ou乌鸦传媒檝e accomplished something amazing that I believe will be felt in this community for many years to come.乌鸦传媒�
The new PRC will feature three full-sized gyms, a fitness centre, a 25-metre pool, and childcare and youth areas. Outdoor amenities include six sports fields, pickleball and tennis courts, a cycle track linking to the Okanagan Rail Trail, and multi-use pathways connected to Mill Creek.
Construction is expected to start in the spring.
