Capacity Limits Lifted for the South Okanagan Events Centre and Interior Health Region
(Penticton, BC): As announced by the Province of British Columbia and the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) earlier today, capacity limits for live events in the Interior Health Region, which includes the South Okanagan Events Centre (SOEC), have been lifted and will return back to 100% capacity starting Wednesday, December 1, 2021.
“This is the news we’ve been waiting for,” said General Manager of the SOEC Complex, Dean Clarke. “It’s been over 600 days since we’ve had the ability to host full capacity events. Having these restrictions lifted gives us the opportunity to further book our event calendar for 2022 and beyond, which in turn leads to having Penticton and the South Okanagan’s local hotel rooms booked, filling restaurants, stimulating tourism, and getting back to what we do best.”
Lifted restrictions take place at midnight tonight (Tuesday, November 30), making the Penticton Vees home game this Friday, December 3rd the first full-capacity event at the SOEC since March 7, 2020 when family show KIDZ BOP performed in Penticton. Following this announcement, all current upcoming events and concerts at the SOEC Complex will move to full capacity set-ups, including:
- All Penticton Vees Home Games – 2021/22 Season
- Harlem Globetrotters – January 25, 2022
- Shinedown with Pop Evil and Ayron Jones – February 11, 2022
- The Offspring with Simple Plan – March 2, 2022
- ZZ Top with Cheap Trick – April 24, 2022
- George Thorogood & The Destroyers (Penticton Trade & Convention Centre) – April 30, 2022
- Jann Arden – June 13, 2022
- Penticton Elvis Festival – June 25 & 26, 2022
- More event announcements to come!
“The Province’s decision is greatly appreciated and will provide an immediate benefit to Penticton’s entertainment and events sector and the opportunities this sector provides our community as a whole,” said Penticton Mayor, John Vassilaki. “The team at the SOEC complex have been waiting for this good news for a long time and are ready and prepared to take full advantage of it while ensuring robust safety measures are a top priority for everyone visiting the venue.”
Those attending events at the SOEC are still required to follow all health and safety requirements set out by the BC Provincial Health Authority, Interior Health and the venue itself. This includes wearing face masks covering both nose and mouth at all times (except while actively eating and drinking), and showing proof of double vaccination for those 12 years of age and older by displaying their BC or Federal Vaccine Card and government-issued ID. For more information on entry requirements and COVID-19 protocols, please visit here.
