It’s not too big, it’s not too small, it’s just right is the answer from most people when asked what they love about Penticton.
Whether it’s the great beaches, the beautiful weather, or the residents that live here, there are plenty of reasons to live and work in the Okanagan.
Using Valentine’s Day an opportunity to talk about love, City of Penticton staff hit the streets to talk to residents about what makes Penticton great and the opportunities to make it better.
Jo Anne Kleb, with the city, says the response they get from locals will help develop the official community plan.
“We want to know what is a perfect day for you in Penticton?” explained Kleb. “People go to specific places for specific reasons, whether they like to go up to the Bench Market for the neighbourhood feel, or whether they like to come downtown and visit local businesses, we want to know these things.”
Responses varied from the ability to be active in the city by using the South Okanagan Events walking track, to hiking in the valley, as well as the accessibility to parks and beaches.
Rachel, who owns Something Pretty on Front Street, says it’s the sense of community that she really enjoys and as a local retailer she has benefited from resident’s support.
“Ever since we’ve been here… if there is ever something wrong then everyone comes together,” she explained.
Moving to Penticton from Victoria many people tried to sway Rachel from opening a business in the city, claiming retail was dead in the area.
“We were told people here don’t want retail, but we’ve experienced none of that. We’ve done really well and have even opened a second location geared to men’s wear.”
While next door at Dragon’s Den gift store, the part-owner says running a business is fine in Penticton — claiming you get what you put into it.
The owner of Front Street Gallery would like to see more art and entertainment brought into the downtown, saying it would be nice to have historical tours of the city.
When it comes to change, many had thoughts on what the city could do to improve.
One woman says there needs to be a drastic change in housing prices both for sale and rent.
“There are so many people who buy houses here and live in Alberta, then they rent them out for summer vacation homes which really affects the market and economy.”
Others think there should be a increase in activities for youth and students to keep them from leaving the city after they finish high school or college.
City staff also visited the drop-in senior’s centre on South Main to find out what people there thought about the city.
Many were in agreement there needs to be an increase in parking in the downtown and perhaps even a parkade built near the water. There is also the issue of running better public transit on Sundays for seniors to get around.
One man stated it wasn’t safe to take a taxi in the city because companies didn’t keep vehicles in good repair and he believed it was dangerous to ride in one.
Citizens are now encouraged to share their thoughts by going to www.shapeyourcitypenticton.ca also send the Penticton Western a letter by emailing newstips@pentictonwesternnews.com