Welcome to 480 Penno Road

The proposed project is a split-zone mixed-use development that aims to enhance year-round recreation with employment opportunities. The business park will drive local economic growth, while expanded recreational activities will feature a 9-hole golf course, a 12-court indoor pickleball facility, and 10 acres of newly created open space featuring a public trail network and new habitat areas. Please see The Vision section of this website for more information.

The development will attract new job-creating businesses to the community while also providing space for existing businesses to grow. It will also attract businesses from other parts of the region and the province. This will create opportunities for a variety of industries, such as manufacturing, distribution, and services, contributing to local economic growth, job creation, and a stronger business ecosystem. Some of these businesses may be associated with the nearby airport and UBCO campus. By offering flexible space for both new and established businesses, the project aims to support continued development of the community’s economic infrastructure.

480 Penno Road is located in the Gateway, a key innovation and economic growth hub in Kelowna’s 2040 Official Community Plan (OCP). Shaped by more than a decade of collaboration and $400 million in infrastructure investments, the Gateway aims to create jobs and support sustainable development for the region’s growing population. Please see The Gateway section of this website for more information.

The property was purchased in October 2022 after the golf course operator decided to retire and sell the land. The purchase aligned with Kelowna’s 2040 Official Community Plan (OCP), , which designated the property for future industrial use in January 2022, based on a rigorous multi-year public consultation process. The OCP identified the site as part of the city's Gateway development corridor, intended to drive innovation and economic growth in the Okanagan region.

Our development application requests rezoning half the property from recreational to industrial, while the other half will remain as a 9-hole golf course. Supported by feasibility studies, environmental reports, and a clear rationale, the proposal addresses the city's industrial land shortage, balancing job growth opportunity with the need for recreational space. Through an OCP amendment process, we will work closely with city planning staff to ensure proposed changes align with the municipality's long-term growth vision.

Kelowna is one of the fastest growing cities in Canada, with its population surpassing 165,000 in 2024 and projected to grow by another 50,000 people by 2040. The 2040 OCP identified a critical shortage of industrial land, calling for 236 additional acres (95.3 hectares). The development of 480 Penno Road plays a crucial role in addressing this pressing need by supporting economic growth and creating up to 700 jobs. Development cost charges (DCC’s) and property taxes will bring needed revenue to the city. Industrial land uses pay significantly higher property tax rates than residential uses, thereby benefiting municipal finances and homeowners. 

Since acquiring the property in 2022, Denciti has actively engaged with the community, listening to all perspectives. We have carefully considered feedback from public hearings, letters to the editor, and direct conversations with Kelowna residents. We have met with neighbours, recreation users, local businesses, and community members to gather input, address concerns, and align the project with local priorities. We recognize that this project has generated discussion, and we remain committed to engaging with the community and addressing concerns throughout the approval process with the City of Kelowna.

The water management plan will use the existing infrastructure that is in place for Kelowna Springs Golf Course for groundwater and stormwater management. The existing drains and pipes connect the golf course water features to convey water into the municipal drainage network. As the new roads and buildings are constructed over time, the network of storm drains and pipes will be extended to service the new areas. The new infrastructure will be designed in accordance with City of Kelowna development bylaws. There will be no negative impact to the neighbouring properties. The water management plan will follow best practices for water stewardship, including control of the water quality and water quantity that leaves the property into the municipal system.

No. The western half of the property at 480 Penno Road is located in the Mill Creek flood plain and is subject to the Mill Creek Flood Plain Bylaw No. 10248. This City bylaw regulates development of land and buildings that are subject to flooding by Mill Creek. This project does not impact local flood mitigation efforts, which are managed by the City of Kelowna along Mill Creek. The City has made significant investments and continues its improvements along Mill Creek to reduce the impacts of future flooding. An industrial business park at 480 Penno Road will not increase the risk of flooding to neighbouring properties.

No. Historical photos and records show the property was used as a hayfield, with no wetlands or ponds present between 1938-1985. Seven man-made ponds were constructed as golf course features on the property in 1985. A 2023 Environmental Assessment confirmed no wetlands, lakes or sensitive lands are currently present on the property.

We are a B.C.-based team with a history of successful projects across the province. Under the leadership of Garry Fawley, our team has completed 20 residential, light industrial, and commercial projects in the Kelowna and Central Okanagan area over the past 30 years.