Work has commenced on the long-awaited Greater Vernon Cultural Centre, despite previous delays. The City of Vernon announced that some parking spaces behind the Elks Hall, the future site of the center, will be unavailable for preliminary work. The Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) will conduct investigative work at the 31st Avenue parking lot, where the center will be built. Initially approved in a 2018 referendum with a $40 million budget, the project faced setbacks when senior government grants were not secured. In 2022, a revised borrowing plan of $28 million was approved.

However, delays have incurred significant costs, with the project now estimated at $41.9 million. Funding sources for the remaining budget will include government grants, foundation contributions, and community fundraising. Recent commitments, including a $1 million contribution from the RDNO and $900,000 from a provincial grant, have propelled the project forward.