The planned Okanagan College Don Folk and Family Recreation and Wellness Centre / Okanagan College 

By Vernon Matters Staff

recreation boost

City pledges $4 million to planned OC Rec Centre

May 6, 2025 | 4:09 PM

One of the biggest single donations yet for the planned Okanagan College Don Folk and Family Recreation and Wellness Centre is coming from Kelowna taxpayers.

The City of Kelowna is pledging $4 million which will see the centre become bigger to enable more programming and to ensure public access.

Kelowna taxpayers are now among the donors for the ambitious project. From left: Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas, Okanagan College President Neil Fassina and OC Foundation Executive Director Helen Jackman/ Okanagan College

The centre has a $14 million fundraising goal – all of it from donors. It will boost sports leagues, strength and mobility classes, wellness programs and many other activities that help build connections and contribute to healthy lifestyles.

In addition, the College and the City are working together to see City recreation and leisure programming offered at the new facility, expanding access for students as well as the broader public, the college said in a media release Tuesday.

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“The new OC Recreation and Wellness Centre is built for team sports, fitness, recreation, and leisure, and will allow us to expand access to programs that strengthen both physical and social well-being,” Mayor Tom Dyas said. “We recognize how important it is for residents of all ages to have these opportunities across our city, and we are excited to partner with Okanagan College to bring our programs to the College campus — serving not only students, but also the surrounding Pandosy neighbourhood and the broader community.”

OC’s Recreation and Wellness Centre will be home to the OC Coyotes basketball and baseball community-based programs, as well as other student-focused activities, including Convocation and Commencement ceremonies.

“We want people to be coming to campus and participating in College activities, connecting with students, and contributing to life at OC,” OC president Dr. Neil Fassina said. “For students, building relationships with others in the community is a way to network and experience more of what Kelowna has to offer.”

The new centre was announced in 2023 and the pre-fabricated building is expected to be opened in the fall of 2026.