New Cultural Centre Coming to Vernon: Taxpayer Impact Clarified
Vernon’s long-anticipated cultural centre is finally taking shape. Initially estimated to cost $40 million, the project has undergone several revisions since it was first proposed. In 2018, voters approved borrowing $25 million to begin the project, which included a museum, art gallery, and small presentation space. However, changes in funding, design, and inflation have reshaped the plan.
The Greater Vernon Cultural Centre will now span 31,000 square feet—smaller than the original 45,000 square feet. Despite the size reduction, the cost has risen to $46 million due to inflation and higher construction costs per square foot. An outdoor plaza of approximately 8,500 square feet is also included in the design.
Taxpayer Impact
For residents of Greater Vernon, the financial burden will be incremental:
First 8 years: Homeowners will pay an estimated $28/year due to short-term borrowing and reserve usage.
Following 15 years: Taxes will increase to $57/year, reflecting repayment of the long-term borrowing.
In total, the average homeowner in Greater Vernon—with a property valued at $757,000—can expect to pay approximately $908 to $1,079 over 23 years, depending on the success of grant funding and donations to offset costs. These numbers are close approximations based on available data.
Tax Requisition by Jurisdiction
The project’s 2025 tax requisition totals $4,812,798, a 170.3% increase from 2024. The burden is split as follows:
Vernon: $3,235,996 (67.2%)
Coldstream: $817,109 (17.0%)
Electoral Area B: $380,220 (7.9%)
Electoral Area C: $379,473 (7.9%)
These figures reflect the distribution of costs based on jurisdictional tax bases.
Budget Meeting Information
2025 Budget Greater Vernon Cultural Service
Funding Breakdown
To finance the project, the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) has secured funding through:
$28 million from long-term borrowing (to be issued in 2027).
$5 million from municipal contributions, grants, and fundraising.
$13 million to be raised through grants, fundraising, RDNO reserves, or short-term borrowing.
This funding strategy has extended the repayment term to 23 years, spreading out the financial impact for taxpayers.
Project Timeline
The timeline for the Greater Vernon Cultural Centre is as follows:
2024-2025: Project design phase.
2025-2027/28: Site preparation and construction.
2027: Issuance of $28 million long-term borrowing.
Context and Next Steps
The need for the cultural centre was identified in the Greater Vernon Cultural Plan (2016).
Since the 2018 referendum, RDNO has worked to secure funding, refine designs, and address rising costs.
In 2022, Revery Architecture was hired to develop a cost-efficient and community-focused design. The finalized Class C estimate of $46 million provides greater cost certainty for the project.
While some funding remains unconfirmed, RDNO’s strategy hopes to balance affordability with community needs.
Vernon Cultural Centre Taxpayer Impact
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