INFORMATION RELEASE 

The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) has released the results of the Similkameen Ice and Sport Court Arena and Community Pool Feasibility Study, providing a summary of what was heard from residents and outlining recommended next steps for future recreation facility planning.

Between July 14 and August 4, 2026, residents were invited to share feedback through an online and paper survey, public open house, community pop-up events, and direct outreach. A total of 421 surveys were completed.

The engagement process was launched to help inform long-term planning for two aging recreation facilities. The Similkameen Community Pool building, constructed in 1971, and the Similkameen Ice and Sport Court Arena, constructed in 1988, have both reached or exceeded their expected service life and will require significant investment to continue operating in the future.

What we heard

Residents consistently told the RDOS they want recreation opportunities to remain available in the Similkameen; they want facilities that support future generations, and they want investments that balance community benefits with affordability.

Key findings include:

• Nearly 90% of respondents said the community pool provides value to the area.
• More than half supported replacing the pool building and pool basin at the same time.
• Almost two-thirds supported relocating the pool to the Similkameen Recreation Centre site.
• Nearly 80% said maintaining an arena is important.
• More than 88% said maintaining recreation facilities should remain a priority.
• 60.1% indicated a tax increase of up to $100/year or above as acceptable for these infrastructure needs. This tax increase equates to an investment of approximately five million dollars ($5,000,000).

Residents also highlighted several common themes through the survey’s written responses:

• A desire for more year-round recreation opportunities.
• Support for recreation spaces that serve children, youth, families, seniors, and people of all abilities.
• The importance of recreation facilities in attracting and retaining young families.
• Interest in amenities such as pickleball, fitness programs, walking tracks, hot tubs, and saunas.
• The need to keep future projects affordable and pursue grants and other funding opportunities whenever possible.

What we learned

The engagement confirmed that residents see recreation facilities as important community spaces that support health, wellbeing, connection, and quality of life. At the same time, residents want future investments to be practical, affordable, accessible, and designed to serve the community for decades to come.

Recommended next steps

Based on the engagement findings, the consultant team and RDOS staff identified Option A as the recommended path forward. This option would:

• Relocate the pool building and a new 25-metre outdoor pool basin to the Similkameen Recreation Centre site.
• Create a central recreation hub by bringing facilities together in one location.
• Improve operational efficiency and reduce long-term operating costs.
• Continue pursuing grants and funding opportunities for future Ice and Sport Court Arena renewal.

No decisions have been made

The RDOS Board has not made any final decisions regarding the future of the project, but the Committee of the Whole directed staff to include Option A as outlined in the Feasibility Study for consideration in the 2027 RDOS Strategic Plan.

As the project moves forward, additional design work, cost refinement, funding analysis, and public engagement will follow.

Stay informed

The final engagement report, Survey Results Summary, and other supporting project materials are available through the RDOS Regional Connections Similkameen Pool & Ice Arena Community Engagement project page at rdosregionalconnections.ca. Follow the project page for future updates.

For further information, please contact RDOS Communications.

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Mark Pendergraft, Chair
Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen

Contacts:
RDOS Communications
250-490-4148
Toll-free 1-877-610-3737