Redevelopment of Parkinson Recreation Centre
Redevelopment of Parkinson Recreation Centre
Parkinson Recreation Centre is more than a building. It's a place for people to move, grow, thrive, learn, and belong. Investing in the redevelopment of Parkinson Recreation Centre is an investment in the wellbeing of our community. Stay up to date with the latest plans and progress through the Building a Stronger Kelowna quarterly e-update.
Originally constructed in 1972, Parkinson Recreation Centre is a full-service, multi-use space that has undergone several upgrades and renovations through the years and is now reaching the end of its service life. The current facility is in poor condition, inefficient and undersized. The facility requires a multi-million-dollar investment to remain in service and analysis shows that developing a new recreation campus is a better strategic investment for Kelowna’s future than retrofitting and renovating the existing facility any further.
The surrounding neighbourhood is predicted to be one of the fastest growing in the city. In addition to the residential population, Parkinson Recreation Centre will also serve one of the densest employment districts in the city.
The central location and proximity to several urban centres and Okanagan Rail Trail are served well by many walking, cycling, and transit routes running through or near the site. Active transportation connections will be further enhanced with the Mill Creek Linear Park running through the site, Lawrence Avenue active transportation corridor to downtown, the Sutherland Avenue active transportation corridor extension, and Glenmore Road active transportation improvements. The Rapid Transit and several other major bus routes are also immediately adjacent to the site.
- 2024: Project planning and design.
- December 2023: Confirmation of successful Child Care grant, to include 91 child care spaces in the future redevelopment of Parkinson Recreation Centre.
- November 2023: Project team procurement process begins.
- October 2023: Funding for the initiative is in place following the closure of the Alternative Approval Process.
- July 2023: An Alternative Approval Process is launched, seeking funding approval for the redevelopment of Parkinson Recreation Centre and the Activity Centres in Mission and Glenmore.
- May 2023: Building a Stronger Kelowna initiative and funding model is proposed including the redevelopment of Parkinson Recreation Centre.
- April 2023: Council endorsement of the functional plan for the redevelopment of Parkinson Recreation Centre.
- April 2023: Council accepts the strategic planning framework outlined in Kelowna's Indoor Recreation Facilities Strategy.
- 2022: Capital costing & detailed planning.
- 2021: Functional program update.
- 2015: Space feasibility study identified that a future recreation facility at Parkinson Recreation Park should provide more programmable space to increase the user capacity beyond what is available today.
- 2013: Parkinson Recreation Centre Space Program Study - program area spaces and configurations were identified.
- 2011: Infrastructure planning study identified that the redevelopment of Parkinson Recreation Centre is the City's top priority project.
The following guiding principles were established for prioritizing program needs, informing site configuration, and to measure program success.
1. People-focused amenities
- Focus on wellness and healthy living.
- Encourage multi-generational integration.
- Create a centre of excellence for wellness, recreation, culture, and sport for all.
- Facilitate new sport tourism opportunities.
2. Sustainability
- Deliver a facility that responds to climate change through leadership in sustainable design and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- Optimize sustainable design while respecting the location (e.g. Mill Creek floodplain).
- Incorporate multi-modal transportation options like cycling, walking, and transit.
3. Good stewards of public resources
- Build a thriving community.
- Minimize operation interruptions of existing sports fields and recreation centre.
- Maintain existing sports field programming, as much as possible.
4. Cultivate partnerships
- Facilitate collaboration with other partners who share values and objectives.
- Engage with the Indigenous community for collaboration opportunities.
5. Innovative leadership
- Challenge expectations with bold innovation throughout the project.
- Foster community inclusivity, and pride.
Council endorsed the Functional Program for the redevelopment of Parkinson Recreation Centre on April 17, 2023, as part of the redevelopment site several amenities will be considered:
- Unique spaces for people of all ages and abilities to socialize, move, and play.
- Social spaces that connect community.
- Integration with the outdoors to incorporate the park.
- A kitchen for community programs, capable of supporting large-scale events.
- Space for indoor and outdoor tournaments.
- Appropriately sized and equipped amenities to accommodate competitive sports.
- Pool space for recreational and competitive users.
- Space for childcare and youth.
A feasibility study showed that developing a new recreation campus is a better investment for Kelowna’s future than renovating it. The existing facility does not meet current standards and is one of our top energy users and greenhouse gas emitters across City facilities. Building new allows us to construct a net zero carbon facility. Parkinson Recreation Centre will be open for business as usual as we redevelop a new facility north of the creek. The new location will improve vehicle access and connect with the Apple Bowl, and surrounding fields.
