Coldstream Community Hall rendering (Photo credit: Sahuri and Partners Architecture Inc.)

By Kevin Rothwell

Boring and industrial

Hard feelings over Coldstream Community Centre design

Apr 15, 2021 | 5:00 AM

Coldstream council has approved the final design of the Coldstream Community Hall, but it wasn’t without controversy.

One councillor is not happy with the process and appearance of the finished product.

“The very first rendering of the outside design has, with minor modifications, come forward, at every step of the process and it’s my personal view that the outside looks like a dairy barn,” Coun. Richard Enns told his fellow council members.

The project will replace the existing Women’s Institute Hall next to the district office, and across the road from Coldstream Elementary School, on Kalamalka Road.

It will include an 84-space child care facility run by Maven Lane.

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Sahuri and Partners Architecture Inc. of Kelowna produced the designs.

In response to Enns’ concerns, two new designs were brought forward to the April 6, Community Centre Advisory Committee meeting. Enns left the meeting after just 14 minutes.

“The designs, in my view, mirror the design of a big box store, which is inappropriate for the central Coldstream neighborhood. Given that there were no appropriate designs offered, I asked my fellow councillors to refrain from voting so I could register my disapproval with the design and the process by leaving before the vote could be taken. This step was taken without drama, but after all other avenues had been closed,” Enns explained.

Enns pointed to stately homes such as the Sovereign, Tassie, Seymour properties and Mackie Lake House, as examples that could have been inspiration for the new community centre.

Mackie Lake House (photo credit: Mackie Lake House Foundation)

He further noted the number of talented artists that live in Coldstream and people that have been involved in the development of many North Okanagan buildings.

“We did not use any of these resources, I’m sensitive to the costs of any changes to the design, but we simply have not been given that option. I’m left with the sense that this process has been guided from the beginning to simply arrive at the same design, that we were first surprised with, before any suggestions came from any member of council,” Enns stated.

Enns contends the district failed to incorporate any public input into the design process, in a reasonable way.

“We are left with the uninspiring and unimaginative building, which will be the centre piece of the District of Coldstream for many years to come,” Enns observed. “I deeply support Coldstream Community Hall, because I believe that in spite of its boring and industrial facade, it will accomodate many fine community and social events. I deeply support this building, but I cannot in any way support the process which led to the recommendation we have today for its appearance.”

No other members of council countered Enns objections or commented on the process and final design.

The motion to approve the final design, moved by Coun. Glen Taylor and seconded by Coun. Ruth Hoyte, passed.

The provincial government is contributing over $5 million dollars toward the project.