B.C. Is Getting A New $12.9M Free Public Swim Venue (PHOTOS)

B.C. is getting a brand-new swim venue, which will offer space for recreational swimming, community events, informal programming and waterfront activities throughout the year.

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A New Swim Venue in Kelowna, B.C.

This swim venue will be coming to City Park in Kelowna, with plans to “re-establish a historic public swimming destination on Okanagan Lake.”

The conceptual plan includes eight 50-metre swim lanes, as well as protected swimming areas. Sun decks, shaded areas, accessible gangways, diving platforms, and space for water polo are also featured. Notably, the swim venue will be completely free to the public.

The Weston family has made the project possible through a $12.9 million donation to Swim Drink Fish. An additional $5.1 million in capital funding from the City of Kelowna is also going toward the project. The design, build, and operations of the facility will be the City’s responsibility.

“The funding comes through the WAVE Prize, a waterfront access initiative launched by Swim Drink Fish in 2025 with support from the Weston family,” explains the City. ” The initiative provides grants to local governments and First Nations across B.C. to help build natural water swimming structures that improve waterfront areas and strengthen community well-being.”

For Kelowna, the project is about more than adding a new place to swim. It is a generational investment in public recreation, waterfront access and community connection. The swim venue is being created Kelowna residents and future generations, with public access, accessibility and community benefit at the centre of project decisions.

The partnership between the City of Kelowna and Swim Drink Fish is built around “shared values of stewardship, public access, community well-being and environmental responsibility.” The project also aims to cultivate a healthy, active, and connected community while ensuring residents continue to have access to public spaces.