City
Tourism Penticton names new executive director
PENTICTON - After a long wait, Tourism Penticton has named Chris Bower as its new executive director. The organization went through administrative changes this winter and spring, with several administrators leaving their positions, including ex-executive director Jessie Campbell. In his new position, Bower will oversee destination tourism and marketing for Tourism Penticton and the operation...
City paves paradise and doesn’t bother making it a parking lot
PENTICTON — The downtown lot that was not too long ago a teaching garden, is now a patch of levelled land. The city recently took back claim of the property after a temporary use license was not renewed by a local gardening organization. The property at Ellis Street and Nanaimo Avenue was formerly the home...
Celebrate a revitalized downtown at the city’s block party
PENTICTON - The City is hosting a block party next week to celebrate the newly revitalized Westminster-Martin western gateway. Revitalization of the 200 block of Martin Street between Westminster Avenue and Nanaimo Avenue was the first phase of the City’s Downtown revitalization plan. Construction began in late February and finished at the end of May,...
More development doesn’t mean more rentals
PENTICTON - A recent study shows there are fewer rental units in Penticton than there were at this time last year, but can the city’s development department keep up with a shrinking rental availability? Anthony Haddad, the city’s director of development services said he hasn't received a lot of proposals for apartment buildings lately. However,...
Looking for an apartment in Penticton? Don’t be picky
PENTICTON — Finding a rental apartment may cost you, depending on what you’re willing to settle for. Rental costs are increasing in Penticton, but availability rates are on the decline, according to the spring Rental Market Survey released by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. The overall availability rates in Penticton have dropped in the...
City gets wrong school district on property tax forms
PENTICTON - Property owners will be mailed amended property tax notices after the City noticed an administrative error, naming the wrong school district. The 2014 property tax calculations listed the school district as District 53, Okanagan-Similkameen, rather than the correct District 67, Okanagan-Skaha. “We sincerely apologize to affected property owners for the erros, and regret...
Valley First named title sponsor for Penmar Community Arts Centre
PENTICTON - Valley First was announced as title sponsor for the Penmar Community Theatre this morning during a groundbreaking ceremony, marking the start of construction for the theatre’s additions. The Penmar Community Arts Society has named the new theatre Valley First Community Arts Centre after the title sponsor. This is the second major sponsorship in...
City takes action against residents building without permits
PENTICTON - The City may have to take action against residents who violated city law by constructing a building on their property without having the proper permits. The residents of 229 Scott Avenue have not responded to the City’s requests to apply for construction permits after it was discovered the owners were constructing an additional...
City faces maintenance costs that could have been avoided
PENTICTON - As a result of poor planning, the city needs to front a good chunk of money to replace pool tiles at the community centre. The pool tiles are causing safety issues, specifically as a slipping hazard. In order to maintain the tiles and keep them clean enough to prevent slipping, it would cost...
Wipeout-style water attraction approved for City Park
KELOWNA – A new water park is coming soon to the shores of Okanagan Lake off City Park. Consisting of interlocking inflatable modules with a maximum capacity of 60 people at a time, city property manager John Saufferer says the park will be similar to the inflatable obstacle courses used in the TV show Wipeout....
Powerful storm felt across the city
VERNON - Cleanup and repairs are underway today following a major storm Tuesday afternoon in Vernon. According to Environment Canada, 12 mm of precipitation fell that day. Locals certainly felt it as they drove through gushing water, noticed lifting asphalt on the street, and watched basements flood. Tanya Laing Gahr, with the City of Vernon,...
Nudists fight for their community, heritage site
PENTICTON - Nudists who use Three Mile Beach say they'll respect a private land owner's decision to fence off his property but they don't want to lose complete acess to the beach, a historical nudist location since the 1930s. The small beach in Naramata is jointly owned by the City of Penticton, the provincial government...
Bernard Avenue revitalization is officially over
KELOWNA – After two years of construction the revitalized Bernard Avenue will finally open to vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Representatives of the city, including Mayor Walter Gray, gathered at the corner of Pandosy and Bernard Friday afternoon to officially announce the completion of the $14.3 million project. Work began in September 2012 and was completed...
Water parks open this weekend in Kamloops
KAMLOOPS - It may not feel like summer is around the bend with the wet, cool weather lingering over Kamloops these past few days, but the city isn't about to let kids down. They're opening water parks at the end of the month. Starting Saturday, May 31, all City of Kamloops water parks will be...
B.C. Lions invite public to Fanfest
KAMLOOPS - It's time once more for fans of the B.C. Lions to head out to Hillside Stadium for a special day that's all about them. The City of Kamloops and B.C. Lions are holding Fanfest again, from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 8. The team will host a practice and clinic, encouraging fans...