$241 million dollar recreation plan passes hurdle

Plans for a $241 million loan for recreational facilities in Kelowna are moving forward after an alternative approval process (AAP) failed to generate enough opposition.

The City of Kelowna said a total of 4,153 electors (3.4 per cent) submitted valid forms through the AAP to oppose the $241 million loan authorization bylaw, as required to authorize borrowing for the redevelopment of the Parkinson Recreation Centre, the construction of Glenmore and Mission Activity Centres, and the redevelopment of the Rutland sports fields.

Under the AAP, approval of the electors is obtained if the number of elector responses received is less than 10 per cent of the number of electors within the City of Kelowna (12,160 responses). The AAP closed as of 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14.

“As an insufficient number of valid elector responses was received by the deadline, council will receive the AAP results and decide on proceeding with borrowing from the Municipal Finance Authority through the adoption of the loan authorization bylaw,” a city news release stated.