Civic Places and Spaces

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Consultation has concluded

Staff provided an update to Council at their meeting on April 5, 2022. You can read the report and the results of the engagement in the documents section. Engagement on the findings of the Asset & Amenity Management Report is now complete.

The City is working on a plan for the future of our 'Civic Places and Spaces'. Many of our civic buildings and assets are nearing the end of their service life and the cost to keep them operational exceeds the funds we have available and may not be the best use of available funding. Rather than simply raise taxes, the City is taking the opportunity to review these assets and look for opportunities to renew, repair, replace or sell where it makes sense. The goal is to develop a long-term plan that is fiscally responsible, continues delivery of quality services and supports our goals for a sustainable community. The results of the review are now available on shapeyourcitypenticton.ca.

How do I participate?

The City has hosted five community events to inform residents about this work along with more than 20 meetings with community groups affected by the recommendations. Staff are now inviting citizens to complete an anonymous feedback form to formally share their thoughts on the recommendations as part of determining the next steps. Feedback will be collected through to Nov. 25.

Staff provided an update to Council at their meeting on April 5, 2022. You can read the report and the results of the engagement in the documents section. Engagement on the findings of the Asset & Amenity Management Report is now complete.

The City is working on a plan for the future of our 'Civic Places and Spaces'. Many of our civic buildings and assets are nearing the end of their service life and the cost to keep them operational exceeds the funds we have available and may not be the best use of available funding. Rather than simply raise taxes, the City is taking the opportunity to review these assets and look for opportunities to renew, repair, replace or sell where it makes sense. The goal is to develop a long-term plan that is fiscally responsible, continues delivery of quality services and supports our goals for a sustainable community. The results of the review are now available on shapeyourcitypenticton.ca.

How do I participate?

The City has hosted five community events to inform residents about this work along with more than 20 meetings with community groups affected by the recommendations. Staff are now inviting citizens to complete an anonymous feedback form to formally share their thoughts on the recommendations as part of determining the next steps. Feedback will be collected through to Nov. 25.

Consultation has concluded

Submit questions about the report and staff will aim to provide a response within 48 hours.


  • Share What are the ideas for the Art Gallery? It is ideally located, attracting tourists and locals all year round. Are we really thinking of selling the property for development? It is not old, just tired and neglected, Is the land it sits on a part of Okanagan Lake Park,? The water table in the area is so high in the area, any new construction will join the list of flooded buildings, the high rises at Martin, Winnipeg and Lakeshore, Is new residential on public parkland the highest and best use of this area. We are a growing city, why are we trying to sell-off city-owned parkland in our city limits? Lastly, why is the site so unfriendly? on Facebook Share What are the ideas for the Art Gallery? It is ideally located, attracting tourists and locals all year round. Are we really thinking of selling the property for development? It is not old, just tired and neglected, Is the land it sits on a part of Okanagan Lake Park,? The water table in the area is so high in the area, any new construction will join the list of flooded buildings, the high rises at Martin, Winnipeg and Lakeshore, Is new residential on public parkland the highest and best use of this area. We are a growing city, why are we trying to sell-off city-owned parkland in our city limits? Lastly, why is the site so unfriendly? on Twitter Share What are the ideas for the Art Gallery? It is ideally located, attracting tourists and locals all year round. Are we really thinking of selling the property for development? It is not old, just tired and neglected, Is the land it sits on a part of Okanagan Lake Park,? The water table in the area is so high in the area, any new construction will join the list of flooded buildings, the high rises at Martin, Winnipeg and Lakeshore, Is new residential on public parkland the highest and best use of this area. We are a growing city, why are we trying to sell-off city-owned parkland in our city limits? Lastly, why is the site so unfriendly? on Linkedin Email What are the ideas for the Art Gallery? It is ideally located, attracting tourists and locals all year round. Are we really thinking of selling the property for development? It is not old, just tired and neglected, Is the land it sits on a part of Okanagan Lake Park,? The water table in the area is so high in the area, any new construction will join the list of flooded buildings, the high rises at Martin, Winnipeg and Lakeshore, Is new residential on public parkland the highest and best use of this area. We are a growing city, why are we trying to sell-off city-owned parkland in our city limits? Lastly, why is the site so unfriendly? link

    What are the ideas for the Art Gallery? It is ideally located, attracting tourists and locals all year round. Are we really thinking of selling the property for development? It is not old, just tired and neglected, Is the land it sits on a part of Okanagan Lake Park,? The water table in the area is so high in the area, any new construction will join the list of flooded buildings, the high rises at Martin, Winnipeg and Lakeshore, Is new residential on public parkland the highest and best use of this area. We are a growing city, why are we trying to sell-off city-owned parkland in our city limits? Lastly, why is the site so unfriendly?

    Sandra Smith asked over 2 years ago

    Hi Sandra, Thank you for your comments. The report suggests selling the portion of the Art Gallery site that the building is located on to help fund the new centre. More analysis would need to be done to prepare a proposal for this option for consideration by the community prior to a decision by Council.

  • Share I’m not in favour of consolidating all our cities assets and cultural buildings in the downtown area. Is there a plan B to use other areas of the city? There are others areas in the city who can benefit from these buildings.. Ie: Library, other ice surfaces and community theatre. Mclaren arena is a benefit to the local area. Why can’t a new arena be built on the existing site? ( I don’t live in the neighborhood) Why do we want to cause engender more congestion in one area? Of course the parking nightmare becomes worse. We don’t t all live downtown and deserve to have amenities in our own neighborhood. Lear House is a treasure that should remain in taxpayers hands, not turned over to private interests. on Facebook Share I’m not in favour of consolidating all our cities assets and cultural buildings in the downtown area. Is there a plan B to use other areas of the city? There are others areas in the city who can benefit from these buildings.. Ie: Library, other ice surfaces and community theatre. Mclaren arena is a benefit to the local area. Why can’t a new arena be built on the existing site? ( I don’t live in the neighborhood) Why do we want to cause engender more congestion in one area? Of course the parking nightmare becomes worse. We don’t t all live downtown and deserve to have amenities in our own neighborhood. Lear House is a treasure that should remain in taxpayers hands, not turned over to private interests. on Twitter Share I’m not in favour of consolidating all our cities assets and cultural buildings in the downtown area. Is there a plan B to use other areas of the city? There are others areas in the city who can benefit from these buildings.. Ie: Library, other ice surfaces and community theatre. Mclaren arena is a benefit to the local area. Why can’t a new arena be built on the existing site? ( I don’t live in the neighborhood) Why do we want to cause engender more congestion in one area? Of course the parking nightmare becomes worse. We don’t t all live downtown and deserve to have amenities in our own neighborhood. Lear House is a treasure that should remain in taxpayers hands, not turned over to private interests. on Linkedin Email I’m not in favour of consolidating all our cities assets and cultural buildings in the downtown area. Is there a plan B to use other areas of the city? There are others areas in the city who can benefit from these buildings.. Ie: Library, other ice surfaces and community theatre. Mclaren arena is a benefit to the local area. Why can’t a new arena be built on the existing site? ( I don’t live in the neighborhood) Why do we want to cause engender more congestion in one area? Of course the parking nightmare becomes worse. We don’t t all live downtown and deserve to have amenities in our own neighborhood. Lear House is a treasure that should remain in taxpayers hands, not turned over to private interests. link

    I’m not in favour of consolidating all our cities assets and cultural buildings in the downtown area. Is there a plan B to use other areas of the city? There are others areas in the city who can benefit from these buildings.. Ie: Library, other ice surfaces and community theatre. Mclaren arena is a benefit to the local area. Why can’t a new arena be built on the existing site? ( I don’t live in the neighborhood) Why do we want to cause engender more congestion in one area? Of course the parking nightmare becomes worse. We don’t t all live downtown and deserve to have amenities in our own neighborhood. Lear House is a treasure that should remain in taxpayers hands, not turned over to private interests.

    Judy Farris asked over 2 years ago

    Hi Judy, Thank you for your comments. The intent was to use land the City owns and advance the vision for a cultural corridor in the downtown. Your feedback will be included in the process.