Parking problems begin with start of Penticton hospital construction

PENTICTON – With work in the initial stages of construction for the new Penticton Regional Hospital patient care tower now underway, hospital officials have some advice for the public over the next three years of construction.

The project’s primary contractor is on site and the ground is being torn up with the official groundbreaking slated for Tuesday, July 12. It’s also a signal of the start of parking issues for the next few years at the hospital.

“Key advice is come early,” Executive Director South and North Okanagan Hospitals and Communities Integrated Services Lori Motluk says.

Motluk says the parking lot has already been impacted by construction, with a partial closure taking place on the July long weekend.

She says fencing is going up and parking areas will shift around the hospital until the end of August, when a plan will be in place for the rest of the construction period.

“Parking will definitely be impacted. It’s one of the challenges we face to eventually get a nice building,” she says.

Motluk says the main entrance drop off zone will be in place through the construction period, but the best advice is to arrive early to ensure there is ample time to park before one’s appointment.

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