The 102-year-old Shatford Centre that has sat unused for nearly five years will be restored and used again by students and the community, School District 67 has confirmed.

At a recent meeting, the board of education approved the restoration of the Shatford Centre, located at 760 Main Street beside Penticton Secondary.

Currently, the building cannot support occupancy as its life safety systems require upgrades.

The Shatford Centre will undergo a phased approach to the restoration, subject to the availability of capital funds, said board chair James Palanio. The first phase of the restoration project involves the abatement of hazardous materials and the installation of new life safety systems. This phase will be completed in the spring of 2024.

The Board of Education will continue its work on a long-term facility plan through the fall and early spring, which will include decisions on the future use of the building. These decisions will determine the remaining phases of the restoration.

The Shatford Centre was built in 1921 and has heritage status designation. Undertaking the restoration project will allow the building to once again be used by the school district and the community.

The Okanagan School of Arts operated out of the centre for eight years until 2018.