Assent Voting Question Information

UPDATE (October 19, 2026) : The 2026 General Local Election concluded October 17. The majority of votes cast for the Assent Voting question were for No.

This October, voters will decide whether to remove a 1912 land-use condition affecting lands at 325 Power Street, home of the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre (PTCC). This vote does not affect dedicated park land, including Bambino Field, which remains protected as dedicated park land.

Removing the indenture would allow the City to continue exploring a wider range of future options for the property, including the possibility of a hotel attached to the PTCC, which has been identified as a way to support convention and tourism activity. This vote would not approve any specific development. Any future proposal would require separate review and approval processes.

What does your vote mean?

✅ YES

• Removes the 1912 indenture on these lands.
• Dedicated park land stays/remains unchanged.
• Allows the City to consider a broader range of future land uses for the property, rather than limiting its use to games, sports, horse racing, park purposes, exhibitions and other objects of a public nature.
• Allows the City to continue exploring future opportunities for the site, including the potential for an attached hotel, subject to future approvals.

❌ NO

• Keeps the 1912 indenture restriction in place.
• Continues to limit the use of the lands to games, sports, horse racing, park purposes, exhibitions and other objects of a public nature.
• Does not allow the City to pursue land-use options that are not permitted under the indenture, including a potential attached hotel.
• Any proposal requiring removal of the restriction could only proceed through a future elector approval process.

Important

• Dedicated park land, including Bambino ballfield, is not affected by this vote and would remain unchanged. This will continue to be dedicated park land.
• This vote is about removing the historic restriction, not approving a specific development proposal.
• Any future proposal would require a separate review and approval process.
• The land was NOT gifted to the City. The City purchased the land from the South Okanagan Land Company. The 1912 indenture placed conditions on how the land could be used, before modern zoning bylaws existed.
• Why is this being considered? For certain event bookings, an attached hotel is a requirement. An attached hotel is estimated to generate approximately $218,000 in annual property taxes and $29 million in annual economic activity.

Download a handout that explains the Yes / No vote

Graphic: Important facts to clarify

Watch a video about the assent vote

About the 1912 indenture

In 1912, a portion of the land where the PTCC sits was transferred to the City with a legal condition that it must be used for public recreation, sports, parks, exhibitions and other public purposes. In order to use this land for something not listed in the trust, it requires the assent of the electors (referendum). In 1912, municipalities lacked the zoning powers they have today, so trust conditions were commonly used to control land use. Modern zoning now regulates land use more effectively and includes public input.

The property at 325 Power Street is made up of several parcels acquired by the City at different times. As a result, the trust conditions established by the 1912 indenture apply only to the lands purchased from the South Okanagan Land Company in 1912. Lands acquired later are not subject to those conditions.

The curling rink and casino are located entirely outside the indenture area. Portions of the Visitor Information Centre and Penticton Trade and Convention Centre are also outside the area affected by the indenture. The map below identifies the lands subject to the 1912 indenture (outlined in black hash marks).