INFORMATION RELEASE

The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) is proposing the purchase of a new corporate facility located at 3547 Skaha Lake Road in Penticton. The proposed acquisition would allow the RDOS to consolidate three existing office locations into one centralized facility, improving operational efficiency and enhancing accessibility for residents across the region. The new building would include a purpose-built Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) and a dedicated space for RDOS board and committee meetings.

Following a comprehensive due diligence process, RDOS staff have confirmed the building is suitable for long-term use, with no issues of concern identified. The new facility is expected to serve the community well into the future. Construction of an equivalent facility is estimated to cost considerably more than the purchase price of an existing building. If the purchase proceeds, current tenants, Penticton Excel and HomeTime Realty, will be invited to remain.

To finance the acquisition, the RDOS Board of Directors intends to borrow up to $10 million through the Municipal Finance Authority of BC. Assent of the Electorate is being sought through the Alternative Approval Process (AAP), which allows eligible electors to indicate opposition to the borrowing by submitting an Elector Response Form.

To prevent the borrowing from proceeding without a referendum, at least 10% of eligible electors, 7,528 individuals in total, must submit completed Elector Response Forms to the RDOS Corporate Officer by the deadline of 4:30 pm on Thursday, July 31, 2025. Elector Response Forms are available at the RDOS main office or the RDOS Regional Connections interactive website.

Eligible electors who can submit an Elector Response Form include:

• Residents and non-resident property owners in Electoral Areas “A”, “B”, “C”, “D”, “E”, “F”, “G”, “H”, and “I”
• Residents and non-resident property owners in the member municipalities of Penticton, Summerland, Oliver, Osoyoos, Keremeos, and Princeton

If adopted, Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 3106, 2025, would result in an estimated annual property tax impact of $6.16 for a residential property assessed at $500,000.

For further information, please visit the Alternative Approval Process project page on the RDOS Regional Connections interactive website or contact RDOS Communications.

-30-

Mark Pendergraft, Chair
Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen 

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