The City of Penticton has announced the first phase of public engagement for the Esplanade Renewal Plan, which aims to shape a long-term vision for the eastern shore of Okanagan Lake in British Columbia, Canada. Central to the effort is determining the future use of the city’s lakefront, which currently includes the Okanagan Marina, public beach areas and aging community facilities.
The Esplanade Area is a diverse lakefront zone comprising provincially owned land, city-managed parkland and natural features that link to the Kettle Valley Rail (KVR) trail. Existing facilities include the Okanagan Marina and boat launch, a disc golf course, the Penticton Tennis Club and structures such as the Yacht Club building and public amenities, which are all nearing the end of their life cycles. Several land and building leases in the area are also set to expire, which prompted the city to initiate a review of potential land uses and redevelopment opportunities.
As part of the renewal process, the city is gathering community input to help guide future marina operations, recreational facilities and waterfront access. “This is the first round of engagement with the community and user groups to understand what they would like to see in this area over the next 20+ years. Setting a longer-term community vision will guide what kind of amenities we can consider there in the future,” said Steven Collyer, manager of the city’s housing and policy initiatives.
The engagement builds on conceptual designs first developed in 2011, which range from full parkland naturalisation to mixed-use development concepts. Among the options are expanded park spaces, upgraded marina infrastructure, improved public beach access and mixed-use developments such as restaurants or boutique accommodation. A hybrid model and a revised ‘status quo plus’ scenario are also under consideration.
Community members can participate in an on-site workshop on Wednesday, 28 May from 16:30 to 18:30, which will include a staff-led walking tour at 17:00. Feedback submissions will be accepted until 6 June 2025.
In parallel, archaeological and environmental assessments are being conducted to inform future planning. A second round of engagement, reflecting both community feedback and technical findings, is scheduled for autumn 2025.
Council has approved funding for the Esplanade Renewal Plan as part of the 2025 budget, with the goal of crafting a strategy that balances recreational use, environmental preservation and economic viability for the area’s waterfront assets.
