Iconic Kelowna, B.C. building to be redeveloped within four years

A building that has been a staple in Kelowna for nearly 40 years may be entering its final one as the property is in the process of being sold.

An iconic building along Highway 97 in Kelowna, B.C., for nearly 40 years, may be entering its final one.

The property is in the process of being sold to Impact UPstream Ventures Inc. (IUVI) and would be completely redeveloped within the next four years.

“The building that’s here today was built in 1986, and so you can’t renovate those older buildings and you have to start fresh,” said IUVI president Al Hildebrandt.

New Life Centre, the organization that owns and uses the property, has agreed to sell to the Kelowna-based company.

IUVI would like to completely redevelop the land, which would see two towers, commercial space and an open courtyard built.

“You can set down roots for a young family other ones here that would like some affordable housing, be it ownership or rent. We hope to have enough workplaces around here that it will interest people to want to work here,” Hildebrandt said.

New Life Centre and the developers plan to work together moving forward. The centre said it has outgrown the space and the new development will allow it to better serve residents.

“It’s an incredible opportunity,” ,” said Matti Koopman, New Life Centre pastor. “To actually build connections into a community and actually be there, that’s really what the heart of church is meant to be about.”