At its meeting June 18, 2013, West Kelowna Council agreed that Westbank Centre is where a future Municipal Hall/Civic Centre should be located and will focus on options in this area during the next phase of the process.

Council was provided information on the Market Sounding Exercise conducted by consultant, Jonathan Huggett, P.Eng, regarding the development of a new West Kelowna Municipal Hall/Civic Centre. From March 13 to May 3, stakeholders in the community were invited to respond to a series of considerations West Kelowna Council put in place and many submissions were received, from private citizens to property and business owners. In order to move to the next phase of the project, West Kelowna Council agreed to focus on Westbank Centre for the feasibility/implementation study phase of the project. This will involve determining acceptable sites that can accommodate the current and future space requirements for a Municipal Hall/Civic Centre.

“We had an excellent discussion at the Council table about why Westbank Centre was the best fit. Not only did Council agree that this area needs our investment and support, but we believe strongly in our Westbank Revitalization Plan and that a civic centre in Westbank would be a catalyst for more vitalization in the community,” says Mayor Doug Findlater. “We’re still in the early stages of this project and will be investigating many opportunities and options, but we needed to focus our attention to a specific area to move this process forward.”

During the feasibility/implementation study phase of the project, consideration will be given to lands currently owned by the DWK, private lands identified through the Market Sounding Exercise, available Crown Lands or any combination of either. A financial feasibility report will also be prepared outlining the financial requirements and options for the project. There is currently little funds set aside for the development of a new Municipal Hall. It is anticipated that a report will be prepared for Council’s consideration in September 2013.

“I want to thank all the West Kelowna residents, landowners and business owners who contacted us through this Market Sounding Exercise. It was exceptionally beneficial and much has been learned during this process,” says Mayor Findlater. “I look forward to continuing to engage the public in this ongoing process that will eventually see a new Municipal Hall and Civic Centre in Westbank.”

News from © iNFOnews, 2013