
With construction progressing steadily on the new Don Folk and Family Recreation and Wellness Centre at Okanagan College, a transformative new partnership has been announced between the College and the City of Kelowna.
“We’re thrilled to see the Centre taking shape,” said Dr. Neil Fassina, OC president. “Once it opens, students will gain access to sports leagues, strength and mobility classes, wellness initiatives, and a wide range of activities that support a healthy and connected lifestyle. Partnering with the City allows us to offer even more to our students while also inviting the broader community to engage, learn, and grow alongside us.”

Through this collaboration, the City is contributing $4 million toward construction — enabling OC to enhance the original plans and build a larger, more versatile facility.
The partnership also includes a shared vision to bring City-run recreation and leisure programming to the Centre, offering expanded access for both students and the greater public.
“The new OC Recreation and Wellness Centre is designed for team sports, fitness, and recreation,” said Mayor Tom Dyas. “This space will help promote physical and social well-being for people of all ages. We’re excited to work with OC to offer community programs directly on campus, benefiting students, the Pandosy neighbourhood, and the wider Kelowna region.”
The Centre will also serve as a hub for OC Coyotes basketball and baseball programs, and will host key campus events like Convocation and Commencement.
“Our goal is to create a vibrant, welcoming space where the community and students come together,” added Fassina. “These connections offer students valuable opportunities to network and discover more of what Kelowna has to offer.”
Announced in 2023, the Centre’s first phase features a gymnasium and adaptable spaces for both competitive and recreational sports, an indoor running track, and a weight room. It’s funded through the Okanagan College Foundation’s Thrive Here campaign, which has already raised $13 million toward its $14 million goal.
The City’s $4 million investment has made it possible to expand the facility further — including the addition of multipurpose studios for group classes and wellness programs.
Construction began last year using a prefabricated building system, and the Centre is expected to open in fall 2026.
What the OC Recreation and Wellness Centre Will Offer
- Multipurpose gymnasium
- Competition-size court for sports, recreation, and community events — including OC Convocation
- Retractable spectator seating for 700+
- Modern fitness suite
- Suspended two-lane indoor track
- Versatile fitness studios for group classes
The project is being led by local firms Meiklejohn Architects and TKI Construction. Prefab construction is underway offsite, with onsite assembly well in progress.
In 2023, the Folk family made a historic $5 million donation — one of the largest ever to a B.C. college — inspiring the Centre’s naming in their honour. Don Folk, a longtime philanthropist and former owner of Don Folk Chevrolet, emphasized the vital role of sport in supporting both physical and mental wellness.
Other major community supporters include Cliff and Lois Serwa with a $1 million gift, and the Torgerson Foundation with $500,000 — all inspired by sport’s power to build connections and empower future generations.