Civic Places and Spaces

Very disappointed nothing innovative in these...... where's the housing? vancouver has housing in all of its fire halls!!!!! we need housing. why is the city not putting housing in all of its buildings

In terms of the Art Gallery and McLaren arena, I also would recommend that these properties need to either be upgraded or relocated if renovation is not economically feasible.
The Art Gallery is perfectly situated and if it does not currently attract enough revenue, then I think that is the issue to address. And it can be addressed. It has potential for much more local and tourist revenue. This review needs to come from a cooperation of both arts minded and business minding groups zmto find a viable solution.
McLaren attracts recreational opportunities for kids and adults alike. I skate and play tennis there throughout the year and appreciate that it is not an inner city asset as I live in Columbia and it is a nearby skating facility at affordable rates.
Any natural asset with oark space MUST be given an opportunity to remain park space as part of a natural asset retention mandate as well as a health and wellness portfolio. This is NOT the space for property developers, UNLESS current natural assets are retained.

The Art Gallery is in the perfect location, amidst waterfront parkland, walkways and the Japanese Garden. It is one of the newer city buildings being reviewed and I think that it should be taken off the list for potential replacement/relocation. This highly desirable property should stay as it is in the hands of the public with minor renovations as needed.
There is a long-standing need (only 2nd to the need to replace Fire Station #1 in my opinion) to build a new city centre for the performing arts, library and museum. I completely support a new stand alone building housing all of these together in the downtown core. It is exactly what is needed for a vibrant downtown.
I applaud the City for undertaking this review and support an increase in taxes to get the ball rolling.

The McLaren site is an ideal location for affordable housing (adjacent to green space for a park, near schools, health care facilities, grocery store, bus route). I think that the City should keep the land and partner with other governments to build subsidized housing for low income families.
ColleenM

Can this be included? We need affordable housing to be built on top of the new cultural centre, the new fire hall, and integrated into the new arenas. It needs to be included at this phase of the project as it won't be included in any facility plans if staff do not include it in the reports now.

I really like the plans to build new ice-rinks at the current SOEC site. I also like the plan for a central library/museum/arts centre. I would like to see these projects move forward WITHOUT the city and the public loosing the property where the current art gallery is. This is invaluable public space for public and nature. Please do not sell this property!

The Art Gallery is in a great location and needs a building upgrade. The Cleland theatre while poorly designed with multiple problems is utilized for small to medium presentations and if replaced it is that designation that needs to be addressed, not some grand center to host touring companies. Spend money through grants and support to local live theatre groups! No doubt the museum is in need of upgrading to modern needs but moderation in size and scope should be the focus. We need more attention placed on the demands of building to accommodate the demands of climate change. the era of individual vehicles driving for miles to attend functions is over. Keep focus on walking distance and enhance our accessibility for all, with reasonable cost for both patrons and groups who utilize the space.

It is time to replace the aging buildings. The costs are too high to keep renovating, plus new construction just looks like the city is progressing. Twinning the ice at SOEC is the smart way to go for sure. A new arts building is long over due, but parking needs to be taken into account. Perhaps in the area of the SOEC/Trade & convention center to centralize these buildings and have existing parking available for people to easily access.
Ron Bonnie

It appears only economics was the criteria for recommendations. What about social and environmental considerations??? These are the three cornerstones of a healthy community.

Selling off the park and building at McLaren Park is very short sighted. That park is in the middle of one of Pentictons most densly populated neighbourhoods with many children. They use the rink often, renting skates and playing baseball. If you sell off this green space where are these people going to spend there spare time?
Memorial Arena is an asset to this city! Why would anyone even entertain the thought of removing it and turning it into a parking lot!? If we. or is it the casino, are in such dire need of more parking, build a parkade.
Also the art gallery is in the most beautiful setting already. If the building needs to be up dated, then do it. don't spend more money tearing it down just to rebuild it.

I have joined Penticton Tennis Club this summer. It is a great place to meet and play tennis at different levels. The problem is that there is no functioning Club House. There is only portable WC and you have to wash your hands in the lake. The existing Club House is suppose to be renovated. The club would also benefit from a bubble - cover, which would allow for winter play. Both items would attract more members and allow to play all year round.

We need a long term solution to homeless people wondering the streets and parks of Penticton. The city need to work with provincial and federal governments. We need to invest in housing and treatment and not in more police force. We will never win "war on drugs". Just look across the border to US. It has been tried many times and failed. Social assistance and treatment is the solution. We have multimillion $ houses and people sleeping under a bridge. Collect extra taxes from real estate to finance this project.

Can residential housing towers go on top of all of the new buildings for social low cost housing for Penticton?

I was a bit surprised that ESS is not part of the new fire hall as they worked all summer!!!!

I note you are discussing replacement of the library, museum and art gallery.....Please...please do not put a new facility in the now overcrowded downtown core given the terrible parking issues, the traffic issues with the bikelanes and congestion....possibly in the middle of town or hey...how about the old Kampe estate on green ave west

Now is not the time to spend money.
You have wasted thousands of dollars on bike lanes. Bike traffic signals that have confused many people.
(I have seen at least 2 cars go through red lights because the bike light went green)
Parking meters are a joke. People from out of town don't read the signs, when they do they can't find a pay meter half a block to a block away.

Wayne Rand

I have 2 concerns with the re-development of the McLaren Park Arena. First, this is park land that will never be recoverable. This is in the middle of a residential area and should be, at least partially, preserved for use of the residents in the area. Second, the proposed redevelopment to commercial is, quite frankly, ridiculous. This property is, again, in the middle of a residential neighbourhood. Were it fronting on Government, that would be another story. Any redevelopment should be kept residential. Consider affordable townhouses, which would retain green space for the neighbourhood. This would also likely have less impact on traffic flow. I can't imagine trying to access a commercial development while eastbound on Duncan. There would be, instead, increased commercial traffic through what is already a fairly busy part of the larger residential area. Commercial development should be kept to commercial districts! You can mix residential in commercial areas (such as downtown) but council seems opposed to this despite the evidence that residential premises in downtown areas of cities creates a safer core...see Vancouver as a shining example of this.

When council is looking, again, at downtown developments, consideration should be given to adding multi-storey buildings with residential accommodation. As mentioned above, this creates safer place for businesses and residents alike...more eyes on the streets. Four storeys keep residents in touch with the community. Above 4 creates a disconnect. These are not random statements, but rather documented studies. Council's refusal to grant development permits for Front Street's SECOND 5-storey building, against the city administration's recommendation, shows a clear lack on knowledge on these issues.

Glad the City is undertaking this important work, however disappointed by limited criteria for analysis.

Where is the mention of climate disruption and the needed upgrades to infrastructure to adapt to increased cooling loads, wind storms, smoke filtration, etc.? What about multi-purpose spaces for cooling centres?

Opportunities to leverage needed maintenance upgrades to energy efficient and low carbon options (which also improve health/safety/comfort of occupants and reduce operating expenses)? These appear weak where currently mentioned in plan.

Opportunities to minimize waste through deconstruction in order to reduce demolition costs and retain value from building materials (while also reducing embodied carbon of rebuilds where re-use is possible)?

What about the role of natural assets (which appreciate in value and offer reliable infrastructure services at a fraction of the lifetime cost) - why were they excluded? Has the city done an inventory of them elsewhere (beyond a few beaches/parks)? Was incorporation of natural assets considered as a solution for upgrades or replacement or service level enhancement?

You have a climate plan and an update in progress but there doesn't seem to be a linkage between that work and the Asset Management work happening. AM is a critical entry point for this work and a missed opportunity if not the impacts of the changing climate are not considered as a decision making factor (financially and otherwise).

Finally but not least importantly, we strongly disagree fundamentally with the City selling off assets and land for short term financial gain. Think long term and get creative with those spaces! Maintain community-owned assets as vehicles for service delivery where the City retains control and responsibility. Think past the dollar.

A combined library, museum and arts centre seems like a very good idea. It would be great if this could be close to High Street, maybe on Martin, if there is city land available. Depending on the height of the building and space required, the city could consider small, more affordable rentals on upper floors and cafe/restaurant to offset some maintenance costs.
Similarly, a multi-ice facility build close the SOEC, which allows the selling of the land where McLaren is and the repurposing of the land where Memorial is, seems a wise investment in the city.