The official ground breaking ceremony took place at the Okanagan Centre for Innovation in Kelowna with Premier Christy Clark in attendance.
Christy Clark in Kelowna at the Okanagan Centre for Innovation (Photo Credit: KelownaNow.com)
Joined by city council members, local MLA’s and those instrumental in the creation of the building Friday marked the beginning of 16 months of construction. The site, which is located adjacent to the downtown public library, will be six storeys, 9,850 square metres and expected to be completed by early 2016.
“Creating an innovation and technology centre has been a council priority since the downtown plan was created in 2011,” said Mayor Walter Gray. “And in this city council’s first year the stars lined up and the inevitable began to happen. I do have to single out one of our councillors, although all of council was onside with this project, the champion we all have to admit was Colin Basran and we thank him.”
The ground breaking at the Okanagan Centre for Innovation (Photo Credit: KelownaNow.com)
The centre will provide low-cost, flexible space for local students, entrepreneurs and technology startups, who will also gain benefits from the convenience of being housed in one space to network, share ideas and pass on experience.
The building is on city owned land valued at more than $2 million, under long term lease from the City of Kelowna. The province has committed $6 million for the building and plans to occupy 20 per cent of the space. Nearly 90 per cent of the building has been tentatively leased as businesses have signed letters of intent.
Kelowna City Council joins Christy Clark in the ground breaking (Photo credit: KelownaNow.com)
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