The City of Penticton | Overview

Overview of Penticton

visitorCenter

Penticton Visitor Center

Penticton lies in British Columbia, Canada’s most westerly province. The city is located in BC’s south-central region, known as the Okanagan Valley and home to over 350,000 people (more about Penticton’s location). The area has become a prime destination for residential and small business relocations due to the gentle climate, excellent transportation link, strong labour force, and the ready availability of first-rate recreational opportunities.

Penticton offers business, retirement and investment opportunities in a location that is second to none.

It has the most attractive climate of all cities in Canada according to Environment Canada statistics. Penticton can offer all of the amenities of larger urban centres, yet maintains the tranquility of a small community.

It is a great place to work, live and do business.

Penticton’s economy is based on:

  • agriculture (182 wineries are in the Okanagan valley),
  • tourism (1.4 million visitors per year; 41 hotels),
  • manufacturing (85 companies are based here),
  • and retirement (25% of the population is over 65).

There are 14 wineries within the Penticton city limits, and most have tasting rooms and retail outlets.

A City For All Seasons

Penticton is surrounded by Vineyards

Penticton is surrounded by Vineyards

Penticton is an all-season playground, surrounded by two fresh water lakes and gentle rolling mountains. Modern facilities offer a wide variety of recreational activities—Penticton boasts four ice arenas, an indoor pool with water slide, a curling rink, gymnasium, and an indoor soccer facility. The Okanagan Valley offers one of the longest golf seasons in Canada. Golfers have a choice of seven championship and 21 additional courses within the Penticton area. Nestled in vineyards, carved from canyons, or appearing like  lush oases on the desert landscape, golfers can enjoy courses with spectacular views and natural hazards to challenge every level. Skiers can enjoy Apex Mountain Ski Resort, only a 30 minute drive from Penticton.

Attractions

An array of consumer products and services  are available in Penticton’s multitude of shops and stores. Choose from a variety of indoor shopping centres, several open air plazas, a “heritage” main street shopping area, the Cherry Lane Shopping Centre, and a thriving downtown corridor.

The Penticton Art Gallery, Penticton Museum, Leir House Cultural Centre, Okanagan Symphony, and the Okanagan School of the Arts are all evidence of the strong cultural soul of the community. The newly opened South Okanagan Events Centre attracts internationally renowned performers and shows.

Visit the Tourism Penticton website for more attractions.

An Educated City

Penticton provides a full range of public education facilities, from pre-school to senior secondary and includes arts and technical training. It also has two special education facilities and a successful French Immersion Program. All this is complemented by a number of independent schools. Okanagan College and Sprott-Shaw Community College have campuses in Penticton, The Glenfir School private school is in nearby Summerland and the University of British Columbia–Okanagan is in Kelowna.

Medical Services

Medical services in the City of Penticton include 57 family doctors and Penticton Regional Hospital, a 129 bed acute care facility with 46 specialists.

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Questions? Contact Penticton Economic Development

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