Kelowna’s new Parkinson Rec Centre to almost triple in size

Plans going to Kelowna city council show a new Parkinson Recreation Centre that’s bigger than the city’s existing Costco outlet, and almost triple the size of the current 50-year-old rec centre.

At 51,226 square feet, the new recreation centre is proposed to grow by 84,777 square feet to total 136,648 square feet, slightly larger than the 135,000 square feet of the Costco building that’s in the process of being replaced.

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The plans call for an additional 38,649 square feet for athletic programs, 2,731 square feet for aquatic programs, 2,818 square feet to support those areas and 6,269 square feet for programming, customer service and administration.

The proposal calls for a triple gym complex mostly for community use. It includes a walking/running track along with a fitness centre.

The plans call for an 8-lane, 25 metre-long pool, a leisure pool, meeting rooms and kitchen facilities. The public area may also include retail outlets.

“Never before has the need to access the benefits of recreation been more pronounced than now – in the grips of the global COVID-19 pandemic” the report reads. “By creating a positive atmosphere, these local facilities become essential to personal health and wellness, thereby reducing reliance on healthcare and other costly social services.”

Plans have been in the works for years to replace Parkinson Recreation Centre and the projected cost jumped 30% to $134 million in the past year. That will make it the most expensive public building in the city’s history.

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The actual cost is not mentioned in the report going to council on Monday, Jan. 17, but it does talk about how it might be paid for.

“Funding of the project is likely to be through reserve funding, taxation and long-term borrowing, which requires approvals of the electors,” the report said. “Additional funding opportunities will be explored, including grants, partnerships and alternative revenue options such as sponsorship."

The plan is to quickly select a consulting team to work on the “schematic design” and pursue funding from senior government.

Giving residents the chance to vote on the project is expected to happen in early 2023.

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