Land acquired for RCMP detachment

Nov. 23, 2010 City of Kelowna

3.5 acres for future development

The City of Kelowna has purchased property to preserve it for anticipated use as an RCMP detachment The availability of a suitable site for future RCMP purposes prompted the City to buy the 3.5-acre property on the north side of Clement Avenue at St. Paul Street. The purchase price was $4.3 million. "It's a large property in a central location that holds good potential for future municipal needs," says Doug Gilchrist, Director of Real Estate Services. "The vendor's interest in selling the whole site as one package made it a good land investment.The current RCMP detachment building is at the end of its lifecycle. The cost of a concept design for the Clement Avenue site will be brought forward during budget deliberations in December."It's too early in the process for us to speak knowledgeably about what could eventually be built there," says Terry Barton, Parks & Public Spaces Manager. "But its proximity to arterial roads, the courthouse, downtown and waterfront make this location the right fit for essential protective services." City staff conducted a review of 11 potential protective services sites downtown, applying established criteria to assess the merits of each property before establishing the Clement Avenue site as the best choice. "Given the growth of our city over time, the property might well be required to accommodate numerous civic needs - something this site is big enough to accommodate," said Gilchrist.City Council will review the provisional budget at an open meeting Dec. 16.