Rutland Recreation Park upgrades advancing with new tender

The City of Kelowna is moving forward with the next phase of improvements at Rutland Recreation Park (RRP), issuing a new civil works tender as part of the Building a Stronger Kelowna initiative.

Rutland Recreation Park is one of Kelowna’s most active and diverse recreation hubs. The park features four soccer fields, two ball diamonds, a BMX facility, the Rutland Arena, the Kelowna Family Y, the Okanagan Gymnastics Centre, the Rutland Activity Centre, community gardens, pickleball courts, walking pathways, washrooms, and an off-leash dog area. These amenities make RRP a cornerstone of community life and a key anchor within the Rutland Urban Centre.

To support long-term recreation needs and expand field capacity, the City is adding a new artificial turf field. Incorporating the former Little Travelers’ Safety Village site has expanded the available footprint, allowing for more flexible and intensive use of the park’s sports fields. Artificial turf provides approximately three times the playable hours of a natural grass field, helping meet growing demand for year-round sport and community programming.

“Rutland Recreation Park plays an essential role in the daily lives of families, athletes, and community groups,” said Melanie Steppuhn, Parks Planning and Design Manager. “These upgrades will expand access, increase field capacity, and strengthen Rutland’s role as one of Kelowna’s five Urban Centres.”

The improvements will directly enhance recreation capacity and support Rutland’s continued growth, including new artificial turf field; walking pathways; event space; irrigation upgrades to the revitalized natural turf field; lighting infrastructure preparation; and servicing for future changerooms and washrooms to be relocated from Memorial Cup facilities.

These improvements reflect the City’s commitment to delivering high-quality recreation infrastructure that supports residents today and into the future.