Kelowna’s Innovation centre to get some sorely-needed signage

KELOWNA – What’s the point of being innovative if no one knows you’re there?

Kelowna city council has approved a comprehensive sign package today, Aug. 13, including building identification, for the Okanagan Centre for Innovation on Doyle Avenue and Ellis Street.

The centre opened in 2017, and along with the Madison high-rise and the Interior Health Authority building across the street, has quickly formed Kelowna’s most urban intersection.

Community planning manager Ryan Smith told council, staff began working with building tenants after the earlier approval of a sign for the Business Development Bank of Canada.

Ryan said the sign package already meets the standards set out in the city’s new sign bylaw, to which council has given initial approval.

It includes four possible types of signs that could be installed in eight possible sign locations, including some retail tenants like Blenz Coffee.

Coun. Gail Given said she had to point out the Innovation Centre to someone from out of town and felt it was “quite critical” the city get some identification on an important building before moving acceptance of the package.

The rest of council agreed and it was passed unanimously.

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