Kelowna to seek bids for future operation of H2O recreation centre

The City of Kelowna is preparing to open up the future management of its H2O Adventure + Fitness Centre to a competitive bidding process.

The city says it will issue a request for proposals as it examines options for operating the recreation facility beyond the current agreement with the Y-M-C-A of Southern Interior B-C.

The existing contract remains in effect until 2028, meaning there will be no immediate change to the way H2O is run. The Y-M-C-A has managed the facility since it opened in 2009 and will be able to compete for the next operating agreement.

City officials say proposals will be assessed using several factors, including the benefit to the community, previous operating experience and environmental sustainability. Financial and operational considerations will also be part of the review.

Jim Gabriel, the city’s divisional director of active living and culture, says the process is intended to determine how H2O can continue providing accessible and dependable services while delivering value to the community.

H2O is owned by the city and provides aquatic, recreation, health and fitness programs to people throughout the Central Okanagan.

The city says programs and services will continue as usual while it works through the competitive process and will maintain its relationship with the Y-M-C-A during the review.