Mayor Tom Dyas/City of Kelowna

By Vernon Matters Staff

Bold vision

Dyas outlines bold vision for future of recreation in Kelowna

Aug 5, 2025 | 9:35 AM

Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas is looking ahead to what he calls a new era for community recreation, as the city pushes forward on its most ambitious capital project to date — the $242-million redevelopment of the Parkinson Recreation Centre.

In a statement released this week, Dyas reflected on the legacy of the original facility and emphasized the importance of building for future generations. Construction officially broke ground on May 1 of this year, but Dyas says the project represents much more than a new building. It is part of a larger vision to shape a healthier, more connected Kelowna through public spaces that bring people together.

“This is our turn to build something lasting,” Dyas said. “Just as previous generations left us the facilities we rely on today, we have a responsibility to invest in the spaces that will serve our community for decades to come.”

The new recreation centre will feature three full-sized gymnasiums, a 10-lane pool, leisure pool, hot and cold plunge tubs, a walking and running track, and expanded wellness amenities. It will also include child care funded through the Federal-Provincial Child Care New Spaces Fund, culinary offerings, and a branch of the Okanagan Regional Library — all under one roof.

To deliver the project, the City of Kelowna is using Integrated Project Delivery, a collaborative model aimed at improving design, controlling costs, and avoiding delays. The approach has already been adopted for other upcoming recreation centres in Mission, Glenmore and Rutland as part of the city’s broader Building a Stronger Kelowna initiative.

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Dyas called the project “a centerpiece” of council’s commitment to building vibrant public spaces, pointing to other efforts underway — from the new winter tennis facility and DeHart Park, to upgrades at Strathcona Park and improvements at Elks Stadium.

“This is how we keep Kelowna one of the best places to live, work and raise a family,” Dyas said. “These are the places where families make memories, where neighbours connect, and where people stay active and well.”

The new Parkinson Recreation Centre is expected to open by the end of 2027. A phased transition plan will move programs and users into the new facility before the current building is decommissioned in 2028.