A new rental building in Penticton officially broke ground today.
Penticton city councillors gathered with Highstreet Development team members to celebrate the start of construction on the new 180-unit rental community, Skaha Shores. Monthly rental prices are set to be determined once the project is complete.
The development will be built on land that had previously been home to Skaha Tent and Trailer Park.
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The two-building development will feature a total of 180 rental units as well as a fitness room, dog walk, bike racks, and community garden. The complex will consist of 138 two-bedroom units and 42 one-bedroom units. Solar panels will power the common area and developers say environmentally friendly practices are a top priority.
A conceptual rendering of the apartment buildings along south Main Street near Skaha Lake. (City of Penticton photo)
The city’s director of development services, Blake Laven said whether or not this development can be dubbed as affordable housing depends on how you define affordable.
“We hope this will be attainable for the people of Penticton. I think we would consider this more family or workforce housing,” Laven said.
The first building is scheduled for completion in early 2021. Rental prices will be set once it is done.
President of Highstreet Development, Scott Butler spoke to the city’s support of the project at Thursday’s celebration.
“The City of Penticton is one of the best communities we’ve worked with,” said Butler. “When city staff and council look for ways to make things happen, it’s amazing to see how quick the process can be to get more housing built at the affordable end of the housing spectrum.”
Project manager Mike Kristiansen said he agreed with the notion that the city has been extremely supportive of the project thus far.
“Open and ongoing communication as well as their (city’s) effort in the process helped ensure things stayed on track and were clear to all parties,” explained Kristiansen.
Laven echoed those warm sentiments regarding the project.
“This is something our new official community plan certainly supports,” said Laven. “It’s great to see investment from an outside company that has come into the city and sees this as a good place to do business.”
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