Downtown and Area Parking and Transportation

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Consultation has concluded

With exciting levels of development and activity in the city, the community is seeing more pressure on parking especially downtown and in adjacent residential areas. The City is working with the Transportation Advisory Committee to review current parking programs and address new pressures. The City conducted a parking and transportation survey in June and July. The survey is now closed. Watch for results to be shared in the fall.

Downtown and Area Parking Facts

  • 3,900 parking spaces downtown
  • 40% used by customers / 40% used by employers and employees / 20% used by residents
  • 250 spaces lost in recent years, another 250 anticipated to be lost in next three years
  • Parking utilization downtown averages 47% over the year
  • Parkade stall costs roughly $34,000
  • Surface stall costs roughly $5 to $10 thousand
  • 750 residents in the Resident Only Program
  • Parking in City lots costs approximately $50/month
  • In 2016, the City earned approximately $400,000 from parking meters, public lots and tickets

With exciting levels of development and activity in the city, the community is seeing more pressure on parking especially downtown and in adjacent residential areas. The City is working with the Transportation Advisory Committee to review current parking programs and address new pressures. The City conducted a parking and transportation survey in June and July. The survey is now closed. Watch for results to be shared in the fall.

Downtown and Area Parking Facts

  • 3,900 parking spaces downtown
  • 40% used by customers / 40% used by employers and employees / 20% used by residents
  • 250 spaces lost in recent years, another 250 anticipated to be lost in next three years
  • Parking utilization downtown averages 47% over the year
  • Parkade stall costs roughly $34,000
  • Surface stall costs roughly $5 to $10 thousand
  • 750 residents in the Resident Only Program
  • Parking in City lots costs approximately $50/month
  • In 2016, the City earned approximately $400,000 from parking meters, public lots and tickets

Consultation has concluded
  • Survey results in! Draft recommendations prepared.

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    Staff have compiled the results of the Downtown and Area Parking and Transportation Survey completed in June and July and prepared draft recommendations. The results of the engagement and the draft recommendations will be shared with Council at the Dec. 5 meeting. You can see the survey results and the Council report in advance of the meeting in the library on this site.


  • Parking survey extended to July 15

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    Results are still coming in daily so we have decided to extend the survey timeline until July 15.

  • Complete a survey between June 14-30

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    Residents have the next two weeks to formally provide their ideas to improve parking and transportation in Penticton. Beginning June 14, the Development Services department is conducting a city-wide survey to gather data and feedback about resident transportation and parking habits and preferences with a focus on downtown and surrounding areas.

    The survey also provides participants with the opportunity to comment on parking and transportation in other parts of the city and tests opinions on topics such as how to encourage alternate forms of transportation, how to address parking shortfalls in the future, as well as whether or not user pay parking should be expanded to Lakeshore Drive and Riverside Drive. Information gathered in the survey will be used to improve current parking and transportation programs and provide data for the Official Community Plan Task Force to help shape the future of parking and transportation in the city.

    The survey is one of a few engagement activities that will gather community feedback about parking and transportation in the city. Citizens will also have the opportunity to speak to staff in person at a series of events (see Key Dates).

    Resident Only Program Feedback Form

    At the same time as the survey is conducted, the City is also collecting feedback about the Resident Only Parking program. Residents, and employers and employees affected by the program are invited to complete a separate feedback form specific to identifying opportunities to improve this program. The Resident Only Parking feedback forms are also available at shapeyourcitypenticton.ca.


  • Update on SOEC parking following exciting weekend

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    The parking capacity at the South Okanagan Events Centre (SOEC) complex was put to the test this past weekend. Between the Vees game, Fest of Ale, Weezer concert, Gun & Antique Show, Okanagan Symphony, hockey, lacrosse and the opening of the Cascades Casino, more than 25,000 people are estimated to have travelled to the complex to attend events.

    The City worked with the tenants at the SOEC complex to plan for parking and traffic management during the events. They arranged for a free Event Shuttle, four flaggers to help with traffic management, as well as extensive education and awareness activities about available parking and travel options. The Cascades Casino also provided a free Casino Shuttle. All of the efforts were funded by the Cascades Casino. Some of the early findings of these activities include:

    • The accessible parking area was full on Friday night including the additional 50 extra spaces that were added.

    • Four flaggers were scheduled between 4 pm and 8 pm on Saturday and were not required as traffic moved well.

    • The free Event Shuttle was used by 46 riders.

    • Bylaw Services issued the following notices on Friday and Saturday:

      • 34 warning tickets for vehicles parked on boulevards or other unmarked areas

      • 2 tickets for vehicles parked illegally

    • A few residents on Caribou Street expressed concern about spillover of event parking onto their street.

    A parking study (December 2015) completed as a requirement for the development of the Cascades Casino showed that with more than 1000+ parking spaces on site, there is sufficient parking at SOEC for the vast majority of the year and on rare occasions where a major event is taking place, there are another 1000+ spaces in lots and on the streets within a 5 to 10 minute walk.



  • 6 tips for an easy trip

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    If you are attending some of the exciting events coming to the SOEC, here are some tips for an easy trip:

    #1 Arrive early

    #2 Plan a few parking options

    #3 Join a car pool

    #4 Use the free shuttles

    #5 Ride BC Transit

    #6 Enjoy a walk

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  • Going to Fest of Ale or Weezer? Take the shuttle and get a $5 gift card.

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    All travelers who ride the free Event Shuttle to the SOEC for any of the events will receive a $5 gift card for the new family-friendly Match Eatery & Public House or the Buffet restaurants at the Cascades Casino. The gift card is valid between April 9 to 23.