Lakeside renovations on time; 70 new rooms ready next month

Renovations at the Penticton Lakeside Resort are on time and 70 additional rooms will be available soon for travelers from around the world.

“Right now we’re getting the components together to make sure that it’s done by the 22nd (of June) and our first guests are ready to check in on the 23rd,” Lakeside spokesperson Elizabeth Cucnik said Thursday.

“It’s an exciting time for us and we are on schedule. Right now, we’re getting the parking lot organized, we’re doing the paving, and the king-span panels are coming in for the front facade. All of the furniture is arriving for both the expansion and existing hotel.”

The expansion will not be adjoined with the existing hotel, but a covered walkway will be constructed at a later date.

The hotel is presently updating its online check-in system to better accommodate guests.

The addition of 70 rooms will give the Lakeside a total inventory of 272 rooms. The trademarks of the expansion are wood construction and large balconies. Most of the rooms have a view of Okanagan Lake.

All of the existing rooms in the 35-year-old hotel are in the process of being renovated, along with painting and new wallpaper.

“Local,” Cucnik said, “is a key theme of the project.”

“We’re keeping as much of it as local as possible. The furniture is Canadian and the gentleman who helped design the furniture used to reside in Kelowna. For us, (architect) Nick Bevanda was a huge force and this entire project is part of his brilliant legacy. Nick not only designed the expansion, he did the parkade, the casino, The Hood, and he’s created a beautiful cityscape for both the lakeshore and downtown.”

Once the new rooms are open, renovations on the former casino area will begin with a completion date of spring 2018. The old gaming area will become added convention space.