Upgrades to the tune of $188,500 appeared headed for Penticton's outdoor rink.

A warming area, rubber mats, benches, and perimeter glass are among the planned improvements set for the Martin Street facility, the city and non-profit group Activate Penticton said this week.

Funding will come from the province's Connected Community Capital Program, according to a staff report presented to city council during budget deliberations on Nov. 19.

Active Penticton orchestrated efforts that led to the rink's grand opening in February 2022. The group is hoping to "enhance the outdoor rink by upgrading the public skating facility and improving inclusivity and safety," the city's director of community services Kelsey Johnson told council.

Drew Barnes, president of the non-profit, says his group is contributing $15,000 toward the project. Upgrade work will begin in the spring or summer of 2025, and won't be unveiled until the start of next season, heading into 2026, he added.

"(Some money) will go toward a permanent netting solution so that hockey can be played more on the rink," Barnes said.

Other planned additions to the rink include bike racks, waste receptacles and glass around the entire space.

The Connected Community Capital Project is part of a $7.1 million grant received from the B.C. government through the Growing Communities Fund, according to Penticton city officials.

Local applications for the fund were first accepted in October 2023.

The 40-by 14-metre outdoor rink came at a price tag of $1.1 million and can operate in temperatures of up to 10 C. Activate Penticton helped collect more than $800,000 in private donations to make the project a reality.

Located next to Penticton City Hall, it also hosted BCHL All-Star Weekend events in 2023 and 2024.

Looking ahead to this season, Barnes says he expects the rink to open sometime in early December.