A foundation built to last generations

Before a single wall rises, the heart of the new Parkinson Recreation Centre is already in place.

Today, crews are completing one of the most ambitious steps in the entire redevelopment: the pouring of the raft slab foundation for the new pool facility. This isn’t just concrete—together with the intricate network of reinforcing steel, it forms the structural backbone of the facility and a defining moment in the project’s timeline.

“This pour represents months of planning and coordination ,” said Scott Bushell, senior project manager for the City of Kelowna, adding efforts by the crews onsite to meticulously place and tie the reinforcing steel coordinated with all the mechanical and electrical servicing embedded this major foundation. “This is more than just the concrete placed today, it’s about creating a foundation that will serve this building for generations.” 

Much like a raft floating on water, the slab will evenly distribute the building’s weight across the ground, ensuring strength and stability for decades to come. With this milestone complete, we’re one step closer to delivering a vibrant, modern hub for the community.

Bushell says roughly 1,200 cubic metres of concrete is continuously poured over the course of the day, enough to fill 36 standard shipping containers. Before the concrete was poured, 240 tonnes of rebar was installed, equal to the weight of 48 African elephants. 

What’s next
Now the transformation begins. Through early 2026, crews will continue remaining footings and foundation work, laying the groundwork for the next stages. By mid-2026, vertical infrastructure will rise as steel and mass timber form the structural skeleton of the new facility. This is when the scale and shape of the building will truly come to life.

Alongside building construction, the Mill Creek riparian restoration project will begin in 2026, reconnecting the site with its natural surroundings and ensuring long-term sustainability.

“This initiative extends well beyond the boundaries of construction and the physical build,” added Bushell. “Every pour, every beam, every piece of timber forms the physical catalyst for a place where people can connect, thrive, and celebrate community.”  

Why it matters
From fitness and recreation to environmental stewardship, the redeveloped Parkinson Recreation Centre is about building a future Kelowna can be proud of.