New urban winery in Penticton taking shape

PENTICTON – Construction off an urban winery in Penticton is so far, on time.

Time Winery co-owner Harry McWatters says renovations to the old Penmar movie building in Penticton are proceeding “at a nice pace.”

“The weather is getting better, we’re getting ready to put a new front on the building, and we are hoping to be there by late spring,” McWatters says.

An occupancy and liquor permit still need to be procured, but McWatters said the winery has its manufacturing permit.

Renovations included the removal of the former theatre’s lobby and ticket area, something McWatters says was unfortunate but necessary.

“As much as we tried to keep it intact, the layout just created too many problems for us. We needed more space to accommodate the new kitchen and bring everything up to code, and the building needed seismic upgrades, as well as two staircases to the second floor mezzanine,” he says. It was going to cost more money and result in less useable space to maintain the existing layout.

Three of the theatre rooms will be used for production, and one will remain for other uses, including showing films.

“Expect to see some pretty radical changes in the next little while,” he says.


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Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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