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City rendering of new swim park in Kelowna's City Park (Image Credit: City of Kelowna)
By Vernon Matters Staff
Making a Splash

New free public swim venue for Kelowna’s City Park

Sep 21, 2026 | 11:05 AM

A new public swimming venue is planned for Kelowna’s City Park, bringing back a historic swimming destination on Okanagan Lake.

The conceptual project includes eight 50-metre swim lanes, protected swimming areas, sun decks, shaded areas, accessible gangways and diving platforms. It could also accommodate water polo and other recreational programming.

Access will be free.

The project is being funded through a $12.9-million donation from the Weston family to Swim Drink Fish, along with $5.1 million in capital funding from the City of Kelowna.

The city will be responsible for designing, building and operating the facility.

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The funding comes through the WAVE Prize, a waterfront access initiative launched by Swim Drink Fish in 2025 with support from the Weston family. The program provides funding to local governments and First Nations in B.C. for natural-water swimming structures and waterfront improvements.

The new venue builds on City Park’s history as a swimming and gathering site. The former Ogopogo Stadium and Pool opened in 1954 and hosted national swimming, diving and rowing events before it was destroyed by fire in 1969.

The project is intended to provide public waterfront access and recreational opportunities for people of different ages and abilities.

by Vernon Matters Staff
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