After hearing from local residents during public engagement, the City of Penticton continues to move forward to make dramatic improvements and changes to its Esplanade Plan near Penticton Marina on Okanagan Lake.
An update on the Draft Esplanade Renewal Plan was discussed at Tuesday’s regular meeting of council.
Senior planner Stephen Collyer said the staff recommendation is for council to receive the updated plan and refer it to the city’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and Accessibility Advisory Committee, while also making it available for public review and recommendations, he said.
The project to upgrade Penticton’s Esplanade began back in late 2024 when council recognized the need for a co-ordinated, long-term plan for the Esplanade area that was recommended by the 2018 Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
Staff led two rounds of public engagement to develop the draft plan, with round one last spring and round two last fall.
“Now we have the draft plan prepared for review as we approach the next milestone towards approving a plan,” said Collyer. “The draft plan is comprehensive, incorporating background context, the area description, current uses, partnerships, Indigenous and settlement history, technical findings, public engagement results and past council direction.”
Key objectives reached after public engagement include a focus on the waterfront along Okanagan Lake, reinvest in recreational facilities, protection of natural areas of ecological value and improve connectivity and public access, said Collyer.
Seven priority projects include:
Expansion of the Esplanade-KVR trail connector.
New community uses for the Penticton Yacht Club.
Development of a waterfront promenade.
Development of a waterfront-focused park.
Re-naturalizing areas of Esplanade Park.
Establishing a pavilion in the area.
Installing more signage, benches and amenities.
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“You’ll note that these projects enhance existing facilities, protect nature and promote recreational use in the area,” said Collyer.
Budget considerations are detailed in the draft plan relating to each project, but should be taken as estimates only as costs change and are impacted by inflation, he said.
The yacht club improvement and connection to the KVR trail were identified through public engagement as the top two priorities.
Grant opportunities to help pay for these upgrades are also included in the plan.
Final decisions on which projects move forward at what time will happen through annual budget deliberations by members of council of the day.
Dialogue between staff and leadership with the Penticton Tennis Club continues as four potential options have been identified as a possible new home for the club, which was founded on the shores of Okanagan Lake dating back to the 1970s.
The costs involved in providing a new home for the tennis club range from $1.25 million to $2 million, he said.
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee will participate in the final decision on where the tennis club will move to in the coming years, he said.
“No final decisions on the new location have been made at this stage, however, relocation is incorporated into the vision of draft plan with the waterfront park in this location.”
The plan has also designated a section of the eastern beach for non-motorized watercraft.
Later this summer, staff will return to council with the final Esplanade Renewal Plan and discussions will begin on implementation of the plan, said Collyer.
Council unanimously approved accepting the updated draft plan for information.
By Keith Lacey, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Original Published on Jun 12, 2026 at 13:32
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