Photo: Google Maps

The City of Kelowna is looking at the former Serwa property on Highway 97 just south of UBCO as a possible site for a new Transit Operations Centre.

The current centre, which has been operating for 25 years on Hardy Street, is over-capacity according to transit manager Jerry Dombowski.

Under the new federal Canada Infrastructure Program, about $70 million could be earmarked for Central Okanagan transit projects over the next 10 years.

Dombowski says he has been told by senior BC Transit officials a new transit centre is one of the top priorities.

Under the funding program, the feds would pay 40 per cent of the cost, the province 40 per cent and the local government 20.

"On the regional projects, with our local government partner contributions, it could be as low as 17 per cent," said Dombowski.

"So, 17 cent dollars which is by far the richest transit infrastructure program we would have ever seen in the Central Okanagan."

The property near the campus is presently within the Agricultural Land Reserve and is zoned for agriculture, but Dombowski says it is listed for future industrial use in the Official Community Plan.

The city will be required to apply to the ALC to have the land removed from the ALR.

In order to determine whether the property is suitable. Dombowski asked that $100,000 be diverted from future projects for a conceptual development and site analysis study. BC Transit is also kicking in the same amount for the joint study.

Dombowski says four other projects are also candidates for future funding through the federal grant program.

These include, Orchard Park exchange and mobility hub, Mission Rec exchange and park and ride mobility hub, Kelowna airport transit station and Rutland park and ride mobility hub.

"I am particularly pleased with the study of transit to the airport. I hear that so frequently," said Coun. Luke Stack.

"The airport is so close to UBCO, and that line is so close. I can see there can be a lot of wisdom to that."