Kelowna Construction

[Ogopogo Fan]

Compared to the economic struggles in other parts of Canada, Kelowna is almost booming.
Construction was up in 2012, development applications were up, developers partnered with the city on joint projects, and there were historic completions, starts and movement on numerous city projects.
"I wouldn't say booming, but I would say . . . we're at the non-boom normal," said city manager Ron Mattiussi with a laugh on Wednesday.
"The city will continue to grow," he added. "We are a mid-sized city. We have a lot of amenities that are going to still attract people. We have great health facilities, a new heart facility, (and) baby boomers are still retiring. They are still migrating across the country. They have their pensions. They are often attracted to the types of things that we have."
In 1996, when the last boom tailed off, people still moved to Kelowna and built new houses in the Gallaghers Canyon area, he noted.
"The boom times were extremes that we're not likely to see again - not in our lifetime."
The positive news was outlined by Doug Gilchrist, the city's acting general manager of community sustainability, in the last quarterly report of 2012, officially received by city council this week.
Construction totalled $290 million in 2012, a $25-million increase over 2011. During the fourth quarter, activity was up 22 per cent. City staff will process 247 development applications, a six per cent increase over 2011, he said. The city also received 140 subdivision applications.
Developers or user groups were also interested in infrastructure investments, partnering 50-50 with the city on $550,000 worth of improvements, including trails and-or playgrounds in Black Mountain, Kettle Valley, Mission Recreation Park and The Ponds development in the Mission.
The city officially opened the new $4-million Parkinson Activity Centre, the replacement for the Water Street Senior Centre, which will be torn down in February to make way for a new Kelowna Yacht Club headquarters, construction of that to start in July.
The promise of continued construction activity was also evident in the $14-million Bernard Avenue revitalization project. Phase 1 from St. Paul to Richter streets was completed and the main downtown street reopened in time for Christmas shopping on Dec. 7, said Gilchrist.
Construction of a storm drainage outfall in Kerry Park started on Monday, with Bernard Avenue roadwork set to start in February and wrap up by June 30, before the busy summer months.
A new $5-million public pier and 95-slip marina will be built off Kerry Park, with old pilings for the existing commercial dock coming out and new pilings going in. The dock and marina will be built by Westcorp Properties Inc. of Edmonton.
The city also completed:
- McKinley Road improvements, including straightening a hazardous curve, widening the road and shoulder, and installing barricades for $458,000.
- New sidewalks on Gordon Drive, Guisachan to Cameron, for $110,000; on Highway 97 near Ambrosi Road; and on Burtch Avenue at Guisachan Place.
- Asphalt overlay on McCarthy and Old Vernon roads.
- Replacement of water and sewer pipes on Lawson Avenue from Richter to Ethel streets for $500,000; replacement of sewers in the lanes north of Sutherland and Burne for $500,000; changed drainage on Enterprise Way to collect oil dripping from vehicles and going into drains for $200,000.
- Replacement of asphalt in Highway 97 medians with landscaping from Cooper to Dilworth for $425,000.
The city-managed Kelowna International Airport completed a new international arrivals hall and customs facility to handle 250 passengers an hour. The airport accommodated 1.4 million passengers during 2012, a 3.6 per cent increase from 2011.
In response to council questions, Gilchrist said Interior Health's plan to build a new headquarters at the corner of Ellis Street and Doyle Avenue is on track.
A request for qualifications has been issued for construction. Proposals will be requested in early February, a contract will be awarded in April and construction will start in July.
The city received virtually no opposition to borrowing $15 million to expand the Library Parkade and build a new parkade in the Memorial Arena parking lot. That construction will occur at the same time as the new headquarters for Interior Health.

From: http://www.kelownadailycourier.ca/fr...wna-11713.html

Sounds like July will be a busy month, with construction starting on the new yacht club and interior health building...

[Phil McAvity]

Originally Posted by crazytown

So now that they're done with Westside Road/Nancee Way/Highway 97 interchange, how quickly do you think the government(s) will get on the Boucherie Rd/Horizon Dr/Highway 97 interchange?

If Kelowna is anything like Victoria don't expect the province to kick in infrastructure money anytime soon. The only thing the provincial liberals seem interested in funding are projects that offer traffic calming/beautification. You guys should count your blessings to have gotten that bridge.

[crazytown]

Too true. The Okanagan is not a route for goods from Canada to get to Asia therefore low on the priority list. But come to think about it. The Liberals have invested big time into the valley. Expanded 97 to 3, 4 and 6 lanes in multiple areas, new bridge (although only a 5-laner...?), new interchanges at Westside Road/ Campbell Road/ 97A, major hospital expansions. They've done some impressive work. Can't say that about the previous NDP Govn't.

[Emtee]

http://www.castanet.net/edition/news...5-1-.htm#86445

A look at the new marina
by Wayne Moore - Story: 86445
Jan 26, 2013 / 5:00 am

The foot of Bernard Avenue around the Sails will be a busy place in the coming days, weeks and months.

As phase two of the Bernard Avenue Revitalization Project ramps up, Westcorp is set to begin construction on a new $5M plus downtown marina.

The Alberta based company will construct and operate the new downtown pier, expected to open in time for the summer tourist season.

Westcorp Director of Development, Gail Temple, says they expect to begin removing pilings from the lake the beginning of February with construction slated to begin the end of February.

Detailed development permit drawings submitted to the city Thursday were made public Friday.

The drawings feature day and night views of the gas bar and shelter structures to be located on the pier.

Temple, says the company is pleased to be moving into the construction phase of the project.

She says the buildings featured on the pier will be more upscale and architecturally detailed than typical marina buildings.

"Given the high visibility of the marina's location and the fact that this amenity will function as a water 'gateway' to the downtown core, Westcorp felt strongly that esthetics and quality were extremely important," says Temple.

"We have created what we hope people will feel are beautiful little buildings. Their architecture will be interesting during the day and, during the evening, the buildings will not fade into the darkness but rather the will become elegant 'lanterns' on the waterfront."

Temple says the project is still scheduled for completion in May of this year.

The downtown marina, off Kerry Park, will include:

- A public pier, over 6 metres wide, extending 150 metres out into Okanagan Lake.
- Moorage slips for approximately 68 boats, including 27 for hourly and day-use moorage, 30 for temporary overnight moorage and 11 for rental boat moorage.
- A boat and watercraft rental business and marine fueling station, operated by Eldorado Marina.
- Existing commercial tour boats will be relocated from the foot of Bernard Avenue to a new and improved facility at the foot of Queensway Avenue.

[Emtee]

Gail Temple, Westcorp's Director of Development was on CBC Daybreak this morning discussing the new marina they are building. During that interview she was asked about the development plans they had for the Willow Inn site directly across the road from the new marina and Kerry Park.

Q: Tell us about the hotel.

A:Well the hotel, thats been on hold for a very long time with CD-21 kinda going sideways with the city and our land being caught up in that. So now that we finally have some certainty about what we can do downtown, because of this marina we are going to accelerate our plans and we hope to have an approved DP (development permit) by the end of this year.

Q: If everything goes smoothly when would you begin construction?

A: That really depends on what geotech folks tell us about what's underneath the surface there. As you know the water table is really high. So it would all depend on what it is that we do if we preload that, how long does that have to stay there, but regardless we want to have certainty about that by the end of this year.

Full interview is here:
http://www.cbc.ca/daybreaksouth/2013...rfront-marina/

[Ogopogo Fan]

Originally Posted by Emtee

Gail Temple, Westcorp's Director of Development was on CBC Daybreak this morning discussing the new marina they are building. During that interview she was asked about the development plans they had for the Willow Inn site directly across the road from the new marina and Kerry Park.



Full interview is here:
http://www.cbc.ca/daybreaksouth/2013...rfront-marina/

I think she also mentioned they want to have development permit approval by the end of the year, which means some renderings should be forthcoming

[Ogopogo Fan]

Not really construction news, but:

1. The owners of Raudz are opening a gastopub-style joint a few doors down from their present location called "Micro".

2. Tree Brewing is opening a tasting bar/restaurant in the old DJ's location.

[wisla_krakow]

Originally Posted by Ogopogo Fan

2. Tree Brewing is opening a tasting bar/restaurant in the old DJ's location.

was that the Mexican restaurant on Water St?

[Ogopogo Fan]

Originally Posted by wisla_krakow

was that the Mexican restaurant on Water St?

Yep. More info:

Tree Brewing Co. wants to branch out with a craft brewery and tasting room at The Delta Grand hotel, a first in B.C.
City councillors were bubbling with enthusiasm Monday as they affably agreed to add minor breweries and distilleries as a secondary use in the convention hotel commercial zone. A public hearing will be held on the plans to give downtown visitors an uplifting and educational experience.
The aim is to "provide pedestrians with a destination beer tasting experience as an alternative to wine tasting," said land-use planner Paul McVey," and provide an additional range of activities for tourists utilizing downtown facilities and the boardwalk along Okanagan Lake."
The new branch called Project DJ would be located on the ground floor of The Delta Grand in the space formerly occupied by DJ Restaurant, council was told.
"The tasting areas will not only provide tasting of product produced in the craft brewery but also provide education for beer and food pairings with food supplied by the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort," said McVey.
"The entire facility will be marketed as a Beer Institute to educate consumers to taste, learn about beer products as well as the art of craft brewing."
The Delta Grand is the only property in the city zoned for convention hotel commercial so the impact of the zoning change would be limited to that downtown area, he noted.
In accompanying background material, Tree Brewing says it will apply for a second brewery manufacturing licence from the provincial liquor control and licensing board which limits public tasting and retail sales to alcoholic products produced on-site.
The new brewery would produce new and current brands, have a public and private tasting area, offer brewmaster dinners, cask nights, guided bike tours (to-from the brewery), Twitter road rides and off-site sales, and sell merchandise.
The 1083 Richter St. craft brewery, which produces eight brands or styles of beer sold in five provinces, would then focus on tours. The investment is estimated at $300,000 to $400,000 with a minimum of 10 jobs to be created.

From: http://www.kelownadailycourier.ca/fr...n-bc-2513.html

[crazytown]

Any updates on the new RCMP building?

[Chadillaccc]

Someone should do a photo tour of Kelowna and put it in the Canada section. It's way too beautiful of a city for how few pictures we see of it.

[Emtee]

Originally Posted by crazytown

Any updates on the new RCMP building?

The 2013 Kelowna Financial Plan states that planning and design should happen in 2013 and in the Infrastructure Planning Document for the 2013 budget it says that the RCMP is expected to relocate to the new building in 2016/2017.

Other than that, nothing to report as far as I'm aware.

[Emtee]

Westcorp has posted a ton of documents on their website about their development of the Hiawatha site (CD-24) across from Rotary Beach and Manteo Resort. According to their website they plan to present their proposal to council in March 2013.

This proposal includes building up to 11 stories tall.





Much more info is on their website:
http://www.westcorp.net/lakeshore-road-kelowna.php

[wisla_krakow]

wow...
best of luck to them. i hope it can tie into the neighborhood well, and not cause a traffic nightmare at cook and lakeshore.

[Phil McAvity]

Hey, it looks like Kelowna's first projects!

[crazytown]

Big announcement from Kelowna Mayor.

http://www.kelownadailycourier.ca/fr...pan-22113.html

Bridge builder: Kelowna mayor lays out plan for 2nd span .
Kelowna Mayor Walter Gray speaks to more than 200 people during the annual State of the City address to the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce luncheon in the Coast Capri Hotel on Wednesday.


Mayor Walter Gray unveiled the city's grandiose plans Wednesday to extend Highway 33 from its intersection with Highway 97 through the North End to a new bridge across Okanagan Lake.
The mayor deviated from his 39-page prepared state-of-the-city speech to the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce to outline the city's latest strategy to get a second Okanagan Lake crossing. Highway 33 would be extended from 97 past Enterprise Way and across the CNR tracks to a new four-lane roadway connecting to the latest section of Clement Avenue at Spall Road.
The city's proposed major highway paralleling Harvey Avenue/Highway 97 from the North End to Kelowna International Airport has had several names during the past 30 years, from the North End Connector to the Central Okanagan Bypass (at that point connected to a second crossing) to now Clement Avenue.
The NDP promised funding, then withdrew the offer, and the Liberals have consistently denied financial assistance for a local road.
"You've got to plan these things well in advance. When you are coming into the Okanagan Valley, it will say: Rutland, Beaverdell, Nelson, Highway 33, you go that way (on the new road). Downtown Kelowna, Vernon, Banff, Highway 97 as we do it right now," said Gray,
"You have to do these things one thing at a time. Unfortunately, we're talking a lot of money to do that section of road (to the lake); it could be $100 million. But if you don't start to dream, start to plan and start to excite people, nothing ever happens. It's on our agenda. It's certainly very long-term but the long term starts now."
The provincial government's long-standing policy is not to identify provincial road corridors beyond 10 years so it doesn't "sterilize" that land for potential other uses, explained Gray.
"In the next four-year term of this provincial government, whoever that government is, whoever that highways minister is at that time, somewhere during that four-year mandate, our statistics show we'll be pulling the trigger. We'll be making the announcement that we are now in the corridor identification stage," he said.
During that stage, all the land can be acquired to connect to a second crossing north or south of the Tolko Industries mill.
"A bridge needs to be built by 2025-27. There's no way around that. Harvey Avenue will be so jammed up by then as it was before the Bennett Bridge opened. What I'm talking about all leads step-by-step-by-step, eventually connecting to a bridge across the lake," said Gray.
His official speech outlined plans for $3-million, phase two of the Rails with Trails pathway which parallels the CNR tracks 1.5 kilometres from Spall Road to Dilworth Drive.
"We're hoping - cross our fingers - that within the next six weeks or so that we'll be able to make an announcement through the assistance of the provincial government with money the city already has from the gas money that we get from Ottawa. That will be incredible," he said.
"Now, we will have a very safe, off-road walking and bike route all the way from the downtown Kelowna halfway to the airport. In time, Rails with Trails will connect all the way to the UBCO campus and airport.
That missing portion from Spall to Dilworth would complete a continuous 19.5-kilometre loop of off-road pathways from the downtown to Rutland to the Mission Greenway and back downtown via the Abbott Street recreation corridor.
"It links employment hubs, such as the downtown and Landmark buildings, to where people live. It connects neighbourhoods, town centres and all the recreational amenities in the city," said Gray.
The Mill Creek linear pathway already provides a wide gravel trail from the foot of Dilworth Mountain behind the car dealerships on Enterprise Way to McCurdy Road, he noted.

[kev_427]

Wow. Please not another floating bridge though.

[Metro-One]

Not going to happen, would be nice, but keep dreaming!

If it did, a cable stayed bridge would look pretty cool n Kelowna, although, if it were to happen it will likely just be built as a viaduct.

Akin to what one finds in Florida.

[kev_427]

Actually what I would prefer is a southern bypass with a bridge from the 97C interchange to kettle valley, through east kelowna, past rutland, and connecting north of the airport. but again, not happening...

[Metro-One]

Thats actually what I was thinking as well, another crossing built south of the current bridge would serve a much greater purpose.