Penticton accepts challenge
City enters contest to share $10 million from federal gov’t
Penticton’s got 99 problems, but a submission for a federal government competition for tech-infused solutions only needs 10.
Local business owners Diana Stirling and Keith MacIntyre presented to city council Tuesday an update on the Smart Cities Challenge, a federal government competition to find tech-based solutions for local issues with millions available in grants to enact those proposals. Penticton is in a category for a $10-million prize.
More than 1,100 responses were received for a survey put out by the volunteer group heading up the challenge in Penticton.
“Which is, in my mind unheard of, and absolutely fantastic,” said MacIntyre.
Multiple themes emerged from responses: revitalization, arts and culture, economy, sustainability and health.
The Smart Cities challenge requires a single-sentence challenge statement.
“How we’re going to do this is find 10 solutions, to 10 projects for $10 million using technology and open data that are going to help us define this challenge statement,” said MacIntyre.
April 24 is the submission deadline, and the group hopes to have a finalized challenge statement by then after more consultation with the community.
“Community engagement is absolutely key and having the room full here today is amazing and fantastic,” MacIntyre said, noting the packed gallery in council chambers.
He said the project fits in well with the current community engagement on the Official Community Plan update, having had a presence at the pop-up ExpOCP event last month.
“It has to be ambitious, but attainable and measurable,” Macintyre said.
“The measurable aspect of it is really important.”
The challenge will look for measurable results to the solutions put forward, which will be considered when the group narrows the issues down into a single challenge statement.
“It’s really important that these are aligning with the city goals as well and what’s working and to make sure something can actually be done in the community. We’re not going to find solutions from tech just because tech exists,” Macintyre said.
“We want something that is going to solve real, human problems in Penticton.”
Stirling said the challenge has come a long way in a short amount of time.
“But we do have a critical five, six weeks ahead of us,” Stirling said.
She noted the presentation before council Tuesday was to advocate that people remain involved during crucial time for the challenge, with the new survey on the way to get the 10 ideas for a healthier Penticton.
Also a large, blue number 10 has been making the rounds around town, and Stirling said it has become a conversation starter.
“We want it to touch as many people as possible. It is amazing what happens when you show up with a giant 10 people want to talk to you, which is great,” Stirling said.
“Having a room full of supporters really eager to see Penticton explore some of these options and get it more closer to getting focused is really exciting to see,” Mayor Andrew Jakubeit said.
“I think what separates us, what will separate us from some of the other communities, is this really is community-driven.”
Those looking to get involved can visit smartcitiespenticton.com, where a survey will go live soon to look for the 10 tech-based solutions.