Silver Star Gateway Business Park Image submitted

By Kevin Rothwell

Phase one fully leased

‘The next big boom in Vernon’: business park starts phase 2

Jun 29, 2022 | 5:00 AM

Construction is underway on phase 2 of an industrial park along Silver Star Road in Vernon.

The nine acre parcel is being built out in three phases with phase 1 now fully leased. It is one of the few light industrial/commercial properties of a substantial size, and interest has been brisk according to Kelowna-based Venture Commercial.

The second phase of the business park offers over 50,573 sq.ft. of service commercial-industrial space between two buildings.

The estimated date of completion is late 2022 and it’s already 19 per cent pre-leased. Each unit provides the ability to add a mezzanine for additional space suitable for office, storage or other related uses. The developer will be building-out a couple of show suites complete with mezzanines.

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“Rental rates are competitive in the Vernon market for new product,” Venture Commercial partner Jason Wills told Vernon Matters.

Phase 2 offers a drive-thru pad option along Silver Star Road which can accommodate a building up to 4,250 sq ft. A drive-thru restaurant, along with the potential for other retail and service based uses, offers a compliment to the occupants and visitors of both Phase 1 and 2 of the development.

The future phase 3 will allow for significant retail and service commercial opportunities with high exposure along Silver Star Road and Pleasant Valley Road.

Wills notes the development has a higher number of parking spaces than typical service commercial- light industrial configurations.

Lot layout of Phase 2 (Submitted photo)

Phase 1 was completed last year and is fully leased. It offers a wide range of tenants such as NSM Mobility, Birch Hill Studios, Sky Volleyball Club, Alpha Graphics Design, Elements Bus Repair and more. The developer has attracted a wide range of business types due to it’s desirable unit sizes, quality construction, flexible space design and strategic location.

“Given the land costs in other Okanagan locations, we see the next big boom being here in Vernon,” Wills added.

While some developers have publicly complained Vernon’s development department has been difficult to work with, the developer has had an excellent experience.

“It has been a very pleasant experience working with the City of Vernon in building this project,” Oballa Realty Ltd. owner Marco Oballa told Vernon Matters. “In fact, I would say it has been excellent and a breath of fresh air in comparison to other municipalities we have worked with.

“We found the city to be very receptive to our plans and are very willing to assist in getting things moving quickly and efficiently through the steps involved. We are working on other projects within the City of Vernon and look forward to bringing more of the same quality product to market soon,” Oballa added.