Photo: Contributed

Phase 2 of renovations at Orchard Park Mall in Kelowna will result in a reduction of floor space around the former Sears Home Centre.

City council approved a plan to renovate that portion of the mall Monday. It will reduce the floor space at the former home centre site from 50,000 square feet to slightly more than 35,000.

As with the renovation currently underway on the northeast corner, the parking lot around the former home centre will also be increasing.

"The applicant is proposing to add 126 stalls ... and there is going to be a lot of landscaping included," said planner Andrew Ferguson.

"But, one of the biggest improvements will be the pedestrian connectivity of the site. Currently, there are not very strong connections leading to the front entrance, but the applicant is proposing a total of three connections that will lead from the outside of the site to the front entrance."

The parking lot expansion will also tie in the former Ernie's Pub on the corner of Springfield and Benvoulin.

The renovation will allow for the creation of four additional commercial units for a total of five within the space.

Coun. Luke Stack was impressed with the application, specifically the additional pedestrian connectivity.

"I also want to compliment the applicant on the pedestrian access. The whole node of Benvoulin Court is very heavily populated with residential and a lot of seniors," said Stack.

"It's just a constant stream of people going to the mall, and having a good, solid pedestrian access will be such an improvement to the area."