City News - Summer 2024 Edition

Participants from painting party at Ellis and Nanaimo on June 1, 2024.

Friendly Streets add vibrancy, safety for everyone on the roads

The City is taking steps to create more Friendly Streets – an initiative that brings people together to make our streets brighter, more vibrant and safer. This has involved two street-painting projects in recent weeks, designed to revitalize public spaces, while implementing cost-effective traffic safety improvements. Recently, the City partnered with KVR Middle School to paint near the crosswalk outside the school, and held a community painting event at the intersection of Ellis Street and Nanaimo Avenue (pictured above). Learn more about these initiatives at penticton.ca/friendly-streets

Annual pool closure set for August 10 until September 2

The pool will be closed Aug. 10 to Sept. 2 for its annual maintenance and cleaning. Other areas of the Community Centre will remain open, though the fitness room will be closed for regular maintenance from Aug. 8-9.

For more updates, visit penticton.ca/community-centre.

Stage 1 water restrictions in place

Turning on the sprinklers? Be aware that water restrictions are now in place until Aug. 31. Get the full details at penticton.ca/water.

Sign up for emergency text messages

Don’t be left out in the event of an emergency. The City’s text emergency management notification system will only be used to warn the public about possible dangers such as floods or fires. Sign up today at penticton.ca/subscribe.

Traffic changes around schools

The City is rolling out traffic safety measures and programs after completing two ‘Safe Routes to School’ studies at Carmi and Uplands schools. This involved working with the school communities to learn more about how children are travelling to school – and how to create more opportunities to encourage active transportation. Next, the City will conduct studies at Columbia Elementary and the future Skaha Elementary.

Coming soon! School zones and playground zones throughout the City will become permanent 30km/h speed zones, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These changes will be in place ahead of the new school year, with signs being updated in late summer. For more details, visit penticton.ca/safe-routes.

Businesses open as usual during construction

Construction is underway at Skaha Lake Road and Kinney Avenue to upgrade the intersection with a new traffic signal and other improvements designed to relieve congestion in the area. The City reminds all residents and visitors that businesses are open as usual and access will always be available.

While traffic along Skaha Lake Road remains open, drivers may face delays and are reminded to follow the directions of signs and traffic controllers. Note that vehicles will not be able to access Skaha Lake Road from Kinney Avenue during construction. For the latest updates, visit penticton.ca/point-intersection.

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City welcomes new manager of Bylaw Services

The City has hired a new manager of Bylaw Services. Deanne Burleigh brings over three decades of law enforcement experience to her new role, having retired from the RCMP in 2021 after 36 years of service. She has previously served as the Officer in Charge of Burnaby RCMP and the Upper Fraser Valley Regional Detachment.

Drawing from this experience, Deanne’s skill set is finely tuned to support the Bylaw Services Department’s core objectives of enhancing public safety, property standards, and community engagement.

The City of Penticton welcomes Deanne and looks forward to her inclusive leadership style and plans for spearheading strategic planning initiatives to enhance public safety.

Upcoming events

Okanagan Granfondo (July 14): More than 2,400 cyclists will ride from Gyro Park in this mass cycling event, which loops throughout the South Okanagan and ends in Penticton. Anticipate road closures. Learn more at penticton.ca/granfondo.

Peach Fest (Aug. 7-11):

One of the largest free festivals in Canada returns with live music and entertainment, a parade and so much more. Park’n’Ride is available; get the details at penticton.ca/peachfest.

IRONMAN Canada (Aug. 24-25): Soak in the energy of this iconic event by joining the 10,000+ people lining the streets to cheer on the athletes. Pick up your free fan kit, draw chalk messages on the streets, volunteer, or sign up your kids in the IRONKids fun run. penticton.ca/ironman.

Construction in Penticton off to strong start in 2024

The City of Penticton has seen a surge of construction in the first quarter of 2024. The promising trend is projected to continue, with recent changes supported by Council to the City’s Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw. Expect projects, from commercial and industrial builds to residential housing, to be under construction soon.

Many projects that were previously in the ‘evaluation’ stage are proceeding to construction, helping to bring much-needed housing supply and additional employment opportunities to Penticton.

Building permits representing more than $82 million in construction value were issued over the first four months of 2024. City Council, through the first nine meetings of the year, also approved development permits representing 153 new housing units including two new apartment buildings (Front Street and Rigsby Street), one downtown mixed-use building (Ellis Street) and several infill projects.

The approximate future housing numbers include:

• 460 residential units under construction

• 1,402 residential units approved

• 2,070 units in the development application process

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City Hall: 250-490-2400

Email: ask@penticton.ca

Photo Credit: Brad Crowfoot

Deanne Burleigh is the new manager of Bylaw Services.

New office building downtown on Ellis St.