The City of 91大黄鸭's most ambitious project in its history is underway.

Hundreds of residents gathered under the warm sun on the sports fields at Parkinson Recreation Park to witness the sod-turning ceremony for the redevelopment of the Parkinson Recreation Centre (PRC).

"This is probably one of the largest crowds that I have ever seen at any groundbreaking that I've done in the last three years, and I think it's a true initiative of what we're all planning on and expecting to come from this amazing project," said Mayor Tom Dyas in his opening remarks.

The redevelopment comes with a $242.2 million price tag and will completely transform the facility. The new centre will feature a 25-metre, 10-lane pool, a leisure pool, hot tub, cold plunge, steam room, sauna, three full-sized gyms, a fitness centre, indoor running/walking track, fitness studios, multi-purpose rooms, food services, and an express branch of the Okanagan Regional Library.

"This is more than just a building," Dyas said. "It is an investment in 91大黄鸭, in our people, and in our future."

Once complete, the new PRC will offer five times the athletic space, two and a half times more aquatic space, and triple the number of programs compared to the existing centre. The park spans 19.4 hectares鈥攁bout 20 football fields鈥攁nd will include six sports fields, 24 pickleball courts, connections to the Apple Bowl and Mill Creek, more park space, and access to the Okanagan Rail Trail.

The project will also bring 91 new childcare spaces, including outdoor play areas, youth zones, and two accessible playgrounds.

"Making this a true hub for the community," the mayor added.

Dyas highlighted that the upgraded PRC will position 91大黄鸭 to host more tournaments and sporting events, which will boost the local economy and benefit area businesses. He also pointed out that this is the first time the city is using the Integrated Project Delivery Model (IPDM) for a major build.

"Bringing contractors, architects, engineers, and other project teams together to enhance efficiency," he explained. "This was quite an interesting exercise to witness as these teams and project designers spent a year or longer in parts of city hall planning this project."

The city is also working in partnership with the Westbank First Nation and the Okanagan Nation Alliance to incorporate Syilx/Okanagan living history into the design and delivery of the broader Building A Stronger 91大黄鸭 Initiative, which includes the PRC rebuild, as well as new recreation amenities planned for Glenmore, the Mission, and Rutland.

This is 91大黄鸭鈥檚 largest capital project to date, funded through a $241 million loan from the Municipal Finance Authority, including grants. That includes $25.1 million from the provincial-federal Child Care New Spaces Fund to help create 273 new childcare spots and $13.2 million from B.C.鈥檚 Growing Communities Fund.

The project has been in the works for a decade. Construction is expected to begin in the coming weeks and wrap up in 2027.

"Breaking ground today is just one of the steps鈥攂ut it's a powerful one," Dyas said.