Temporary closures, new entrance and relocated parking to support redevelopment
The City of Kelowna is reconfiguring parking and access around the Parkinson Recreation Centre (PRC) and Apple Bowl as work continues on a multi-year redevelopment of the site. The changes begin Monday, Aug. 17, and are intended to preserve ongoing public access to recreation facilities while preparing for larger construction milestones including a planned demolition of the existing PRC in 2028.
City officials say the first phase will see the south parking lot at the PRC reconfigured to create construction staging areas and to support future development activities. As part of that work, 53 parking stalls in the PAC south parking lot will be temporarily closed and fenced off; the city expects that lot to reopen the week of Oct. 12.
Where to park and who should get priority
While the fenced portion of the south lot is out of use, parking will be relocated to stalls near the playground at the Parkinson Recreation Centre. The city emphasises the need for consideration as spaces are limited:
- Patrons of the PRC and the Parkinson Activity Centre are being asked to leave stalls closest to the PAC for members of the Seniors Society and people with mobility challenges.
- Visitors to the Westbank Farmers Market (or Farmers Market events) should avoid parking in the PRC lots to preserve spaces for facility users.
“By undertaking this phase of work now, the City can help ensure continued access to recreation facilities and parking while preparing the site for future development, including the planned demolition of the existing PRC in 2028,” the City of Kelowna said in a press release.
Apple Bowl access moved off Burtch Road
All vehicle and pedestrian access from Burtch Road will be temporarily closed during part of the construction. A new entrance off Spall Road, east of the Apple Bowl, will serve as the primary access point. The city expects the Spall Road entrance and the associated access pattern to remain in place until the fall of 2027.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Work begins | Monday, Aug. 17, 2026 |
| Temporarily closed stalls | 53 parking stalls (PAC south lot) |
| Estimated reopening of lot | Week of Oct. 12, 2026 |
| Temporary Apple Bowl access | Entrance off Spall Road (closure of Burtch Road access) |
| Access plan in effect until | Fall 2027 |
What this means for users and community groups
The PRC and Apple Bowl are hubs for sport clubs, seniors programming, community events and seasonal gatherings. The city is staggering early construction work, including parking reconfiguration, so facilities can remain open for daily programming and scheduled events. That balance is critical to groups that rely on predictable space for practices, games and social programs.
For seniors and people with mobility needs, the city’s instruction to preserve the stalls nearest the Parkinson Activity Centre is intended to reduce barriers while the site changes. Event organisers and league administrators should communicate the new access and parking information to participants and spectators to avoid confusion on game days and during weekend events.
Residents who normally access the Apple Bowl from Burtch Road should allow extra travel time and follow signage to the Spall Road entrance. The temporary access arrangement mirrors a similar pattern that was used earlier this summer when the BC Lions played at the Apple Bowl.
Longer-term redevelopment context
The reconfiguration is an early phase of a redevelopment project that has been under construction since spring 2025. Although the immediate work focuses on parking and site staging, the city’s public notice links this phase to preparations for the planned demolition of the existing PRC in 2028. Further changes to access and parking can be expected as the larger redevelopment advances through design, approvals and construction stages.
Residents and facility users should monitor City of Kelowna communications for updates on closures, reopening dates and any changes to transit routing or event access. Clear wayfinding and proactive communication will be important to minimise disruption to the many community programmes that rely on these civic facilities.
