When tourists drive south on Highway 97 and into Penticton in the coming years, their first impressions of the city may be different than what they would be today.
Penticton's fastest-growing neighbourhood 鈥� known as the North Gateway 鈥� is in for a 30-year makeover, as the city looks to expand its most renowned facilities and add up to 350 hotel rooms and 2,200 residential units.
Council, led by then-mayor John Vassilaki, approved the plan in July 2022. It dials in on further developing the city's northern end, which is home to venues like the South Okanagan Events Centre (SOEC) and Penticton Trade and Convention Centre.
As of August 2024, city staff say there are eight projects planned over the next three decades on city-owned land in the area.
Steven Collyer, the city's housing and policy initiatives manager, recently provided Penticton City Council with an update on where the North Gateway's top projects stand today.
He said each of the eight potential changes will need to be "evaluated and explored on its own merits," while being subject to cost analysis and public engagement before any final decision can be made.
Eckhardt Avenue intersection upgrades
City officials say they're looking into upgrading the intersections of Alberni Street and Eckhardt Ave, as well as Comox Street and Eckhardt Avenue.
"This infrastructure-focused project seeks to alter the existing intersection with Alberni Street to support vehicle and truck access into and out of the site and to accommodate a future single- or twin-pad arena attached to the SOEC," a report to council reads.
Visitor centre relocation
More green space and an "enhanced" plaza area around the Penticton Visitor Centre on Westminster Avenue is envisioned.
The visitor centre may be relocated which would facilitate a larger park green space on the site, staff said.
Additional ice surfaces
The city's ongoing arena feasibility study, which includes the future of Memorial Arena, will determine the need for additional ice surfaces in the area, staff said.
Curling rink relocation
Penticton's curling rink, located at 505 Vees Drive, may be relocated to "free up space for a casino expansion and opportunity for connected hotel or parking," reads a report council.
Expansion of Cascades Casino and new hotel
The future concept, according to city staff, could also include an expanded casino floor area and new hotel.
New parking structure
The project involves the "development of structured parking over time," with the additional of new facilities on-site, staff wrote.
Potential to 're-imagine' Memorial Arena
City staff call Memorial Arena an "important historical asset," adding that any future alteration or replacement due to the North Gateway plan would be subject to public engagement beforehand.
Hotel attached to convention centre
On Aug. 6, council approved the spending of $75,000 to hold a referendum on the idea of attaching a hotel to the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre.
A question related to the construction of a hotel at the site will be on the ballot when voters head to the polls for the 2026 municipal election.
"The projects represent major, bold investments in community facilities and the economic community benefits will need to be thoroughly assessed," Collyer stressed, referencing all eight potential projects. "This is only the concept planning stage."
Collyer also noted that the city received $7 million from the province's Growing Communities. Thirty per cent of that, or $2 million, has been allocated to infrastructure projects in the area, as approved by council.
When it was first approved by local politicians more than two years ago, the North Gateway concept called for between five to 10 per cent of new units in the area to be non-market housing developments.
Up to 30,000 square feet of commercial space are also included in the plan.
Among the major additions to the area over the last 12 months include the opening of the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, located at 903 Vernon Avenue.
City council unanimously approved staff's report at its meeting on Aug. 6.
Its approval also allows staff to move forward with upgrades to the Eckhardt Avenue intersections, as well as to advance work on a social housing project at Eckhardt and Comox Street.
