The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) is launching community engagement this summer on the future of the Similkameen Ice Arena and Community Pool. Community input will help inform planning and support future decision-making.

The Similkameen Ice Arena and Community Pool are aging facilities that have well surpassed their typical service life and will cease to operate any year now.

• The pool was built in 1971
• The arena was built in 1988

In order for both facilities to continue to play an important role in supporting recreation, health, and community connection in the Similkameen, replacements will be required. The RDOS has been working for several years to review long-term options for recreation facilities in the Lower Similkameen. Previous planning work explored future options for the arena and pool.

No decisions have been made at this time. Further analysis, engagement, and due diligence will inform future recommendations to the Regional Board.

Residents in Electoral Areas “B” and “G” and the Village of Keremeos will be invited to share feedback on potential next steps and future options for the Similkameen Ice Arena and Community Pool.

The engagement process will focus on gathering feedback on realistic, community-supported, and cost-effective options.

Community input will help to:

• Identify priorities for recreation services
• Highlight what is most important to residents and user groups
• Inform future options and long-term planning

Community input will guide next steps and inform future recommendations to the Regional Board.

The RDOS will share a summary of what was heard with the community following the engagement process on the project page.

Public engagement is expected to begin in mid-July and will take place in summer 2026. More information, including engagement dates and survey details, will be shared in the coming weeks.

The engagement process will include a range of opportunities to participate:

• Online survey (paper surveys available in select locations or upon request)
• Open house at the Similkameen Recreation Centre (details coming soon)
• Pop-up engagement opportunities at community events and community locations
• Direct outreach to local user groups and partners
• Updates through the RDOS Regional Connections project page
• Information will also be shared through mailouts, social media, local advertising, and postings in community locations

The RDOS is working with Carscadden Stokes McDonald Architects to support the feasibility study and community engagement process.

The future relocation of the Keremeos & District Fire Department is a separate project. While both projects are taking place in the same community, they are being planned independently.

More information:
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen is currently evaluating several options for the future relocation of the Keremeos & District Volunteer Fire Department.

This work is part of our ongoing commitment to ensure that fire protection services remain effective, reliable, and aligned with the needs of a growing community. A range of potential sites and facility configurations are under consideration as the RDOS assesses operational requirements, long-term sustainability, and value for taxpayers.

Early comparisons to recent builds in similar communities indicate that the possible investment could be in the range of $8-12 million. This investment reflects a facility expected to serve the community for the next 75 years or more, supporting both current and future service demands. These figures are early estimates and will be refined as planning progresses.

No decisions have been made at this time. Further analysis, engagement, and due diligence will inform future recommendations to the RDOS Board of Directors.

The RDOS will continue to keep residents informed as this work advances.

Stay up to date with any project updates by following this project page! Also, be sure to complete the survey by Tuesday, August 4, 2026.