Photo: Contributed

Artist rendering

Red Bird Brewing's big expansion plans are back before Kelowna city council next week.

Red Bird Brewing has been operating on Richter Street since 2017 and is seeking blessing from the city to expand its licensed capacity from 99 people to 500. The project will see 186 seats indoors, as well as a 314 person patio space outside from March until September.

“The upper patio will have several seating areas with and without gas fireplaces. There is perimeter seating above a lower artificial turf area. The lower turfed area will have seating and will be utilized for picnic-style ground seating and or games. This lower area has perimeter bench seating as well to accommodate a casual, backyard feel,” said Adam Semeniuk, brewery owner, in a letter to the city.

Along with the increased capacity, Red Bird is proposing to open their doors three hours earlier than currently to be able to provide a breakfast service. They want to open up at 9 a.m. instead of 12 p.m., but would still close at midnight.

The plan is to transform the current industrial warehouse building at the rear of the site into a brewery and distillery. The expansion would include washrooms, a kitchen, bar and seating areas as well as cold storage.

“There is an outdoor stage at the west end of the patio areas designed for live music and other artistic performances. This stage will also have a dedicated, engineered lighting and sound system. The outdoor stage use will be intermittent depending on the season with a focus on the warmer months from June to September,” said Semeniuk

City council will discuss the liquor license on June 22, with staff recommending support for the proposal, although final approval rests with the B.C. Liquor Control Board.

Photo: City of Kelowna