UPDATE: Penticton residents vote against prison

Penticton residents have voted against the construction of a proposed correctional centre.

Residents had five days to cast their ballots in an opinion poll concerning the facility.

In the end, 4,302 people voted against building a provincial jail within Penticton city limits; that’s about 66% of voters.

Meanwhile, 2,143 people voted yes.

But long before the city held the poll, it submitted a bid to the provincial government for the jail.

Now many people are lefting wondering what will happen next.

Penticton Mayor Dan Ashton says city council will discuss the results of the poll at Monday night’s meeting.

The results of the poll are non-binding.

It is now up to each individual councilor to vote on whether to withdraw the city’s application.

Ashton also says about 24% of eligible voters participated in the opinion poll, which could play a factor in council’s decision.

The poll was conducted from June 14 to 18.

Even if city council votes to withdraw its application as expected, several surrounding communities are still vying for the prison, including the Penticton Indian Band, Osoyoos Indian Band and Summerland.

The province is expected to make a final decision on a location in the next few weeks.