By Pete McIntyre

Centre site will depend on business plan

Aug 26, 2019 | 5:30 AM

It’s been assumed the new cultural centre in Vernon will be built on the Coldstream Hotel site, but that’s not a sure thing.

Mayor Victor Cumming said the Civic Arena and Polson Park are other possible sites depending on the outcome of a business plan currently being developed for the centre.

“It may say to us all kinds of things. City council, a bit more than a year ago, indicated that about one third of the Vernon Block (Coldstream Hotel) property would be available. We might find that more is required, we might need more space around the building, so these are things that are unknown,” Cumming told Vernon Matters.

Cumming said there may be other components that will make the $40 million project more viable.

“It might make more sense to have a more park-like location. These are things we don’t know yet.”

Septic System Setbacks

Public hearing to discuss regulations around septic tanks in Coldstream

Apr 10, 2026

Health Care

New maternity care clinic open in Vernon

Apr 10, 2026

Labour Force Stats

Regional unemployment on the rise

Apr 10, 2026

Cumming added the general view is that the Civic Arena site is too small for the facility.

“That will come up and get reviewed, and it may show that doesn’t make a lot of sense.”

Cumming expects a final decision will be made on the site once the business plan is completed by the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee by next year.

“It will come forward there, and then negotiations with the possible land owners, whatever that looks like, and we’re hoping sooner rather than later.”

Greater Vernon voters approved borrowing $25 million for a new cultural facility in a referendum last fall, with efforts ongoing to raise the remaining $15 million of the cost from fundraising and grants.

“That is a question I can’t answer, ” said Cumming when asked when construction of the centre could start.

Regional District of North Okanagan Community Services Manager Tannis Nelson said the City of Vernon provided RDNO with a letter in June of last year that indicated their preferred site for the proposed centre, which was the Vernon Block (otherwise referred to as the Coldstream Hotel site).

“The specific location for the facility on the Coldstream Hotel property has not been confirmed, and the property is still owned by the City of Vernon,” said Nelson.

“All materials within the borrowing referendum for the Cultural Centre referred to the Coldstream Hotel site as being the proposed location for the facility, so until the RDNO is given formal indication from the City of Vernon of a change in preference, we will be proceeding with the understanding that the Coldstream Hotel site is the preferred location,” added Nelson.

by Pete McIntyre

View Comments