Photo: Tourism Kelowna

Kelowna's new $2.8-million visitor centre has received a $500,000 grant from the provincial government. 

A development permit was issued by the city on Tuesday, and Tourism Kelowna has a mortgage secured for the project. 

“The provincial government offered the grant as part of its year-end grant process in March,” said Daniel Bibby, Tourism Kelowna chair. "Our board decided we should wait until final council approval and wait until the development permit was official before we announced it."

Tourism Kelowna is seeking a federal grant along with private sector sponsors.

“We were hoping to be able to announce the source of all the funding today but negotiations continue with various parties,” says Bibby. “Our objective is to break ground this fall and open the new visitor centre by next September.”