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Kelowna's biggest public stage is about to get an American landlord.

City hall has picked Oak View Group Canada to run Prospera Place and MNP Place starting in 2029, ending a 25-year run by B.C.-based GSL Group.

What taxpayers know

The city says a competitive process that began in 2024 ranked OVG first, and contract talks are now underway.

OVG's Canadian portfolio includes TD Coliseum in Hamilton and Canada Life Place in London, Ontario.

Its pitch promises modernized premium seating, new hospitality concepts, and year-round programming at Prospera Place.

What taxpayers don't know

The terms. What revenue guarantees the city secured, who pays for the promised upgrades, and what happens if the operator underperforms — none of that has been shown.

GSL, a Western Canadian company, ran the building for a quarter century and helped make it the downtown anchor it is today.

Handing that stewardship to a U.S.-owned arena conglomerate deserves more than a press release.

Why it matters now

Kelowna votes October 17, and candidates are already being asked whether the OVG decision can be revisited.

A new council can't simply tear up a binding contract. But voters have every right to ask what has actually been signed, what is still negotiable, and whether a Canadian operator got a fair shake.

If the deal is as good as city hall says, it should survive those questions easily.

The bottom line

Arenas aren't just buildings. They're taxpayer-owned assets that shape a downtown for decades.

Kelowna deserves an operator that delivers — and a council willing to show its work.