Today, the City of Vernon and Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB) unveiled the nsyilxcən name for Vernon’s Active Living Centre, marking a significant milestone for a community project that has been years in the making and is now approaching completion.
Alongside the Vernon Active Living Centre name, the facility will be known in nsyilxcən as snyaʕ̓tán, meaning “where they gather and play.”
The nsyilxcən name reflects both the purpose of the new facility and its connection to the community. It was suggested by OKIB Elders Pauline Archachan, Herbert Bonneau, Virginia Gregoire and Doreene Kaye.
After hearing about the plans for the facility and how the community could use the space, they suggested snyaʕ̓tán — a name that reflects a place where people come together to gather, be active and play.
“The City of Vernon has worked with our community to make sure our language, culture and identity are reflected in this new facility,” said Chief Dan Wilson, Okanagan Indian Band. “Our people have been here since time immemorial, and it is important that the places we share recognize both our history and our continued presence here. This is about building relationships, respecting one another and creating spaces where our people and future generations can see themselves and know they belong.”
“The Active Living Centre has always been about creating a welcoming place where people can come together, connect and be active,” said Mayor Victor Cumming. “We are grateful to the Okanagan Indian Band for their collaboration in helping bring it forward and naming the facility snyaʕ̓tán. After years of planning, community input and hard work, from the design team to the construction workers, it is exciting to see this facility come to life as we get closer to opening.”
The name snyaʕ̓tán is displayed on the exterior of the building alongside the Active Living Centre name.
Incorporating syilx culture in the design of the facility was an important objective of Vernon Council, and that influence can be seen on the exterior and the interior.
The physical design of the building mirrors the hills of the Okanagan, while nsyilxcən welcome message at the entrances, translations throughout the facility and educational signage provide additional opportunities for visitors to learn about and experience syilx culture.
A significant cultural element is the salmon display that reflects rainbows down the length of the lobby.
nsyilxcən is the language of the syilx/Okanagan people and is spoken throughout the syilx Okanagan territory in what is now British Columbia and Washington State.
The word nsyilxcən essentially refers to “the syilx language” or “the language of the syilx people.”
The Active Living Centre is the City of Vernon’s largest capital investment and represents a significant expansion of recreation opportunities in the community. The facility features a 50-metre and a 25-metre pool, leisure and wave pool, waterslide, hot tubs, cold plunge pool, double gymnasium, fitness and wellness spaces, multi-purpose areas and other amenities designed to support recreation, health and community connection for years to come.
Construction is now entering its final stages, with substantial completion anticipated October 30. The facility will then transition to the City’s Recreation team for a six-week period of staff training, facility testing and final preparations before opening to the public.
Membership presales are scheduled to begin November 1, ahead of the planned public opening in December 2026.