An artist's rendition of the proposed West Kelowna civic centre project is pictured in this contributed image.

Image Credit: Contributed/City of West Kelowna

WEST KELOWNA - West Kelowna taxpayers go to the polls on September 17, 2016 to decide whether the City will move forward with borrowing the funds necessary to build a permanent City Hall.

The City is asking residents to approve the borrowing of up to $7.7 million. These funds would to be added to other City revenue sources of up to $7.1 million in order to build a new City Hall as part of the West Kelowna Civic Centre Project.

“We recognize the community has a number of questions about the Civic Centre Project,” said Mayor Doug Findlater. “It’s critical that taxpayers are as informed as possible regarding this significant vote. We think this referendum process provides an excellent opportunity to have a thorough discussion about the project, and get those questions answered.”

There will be a number of opportunities to get the information you need about the project and the referendum process:
- There will be two public open houses to discuss the project proposal:
      o Open House #1: September 6, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Mt. Boucherie Municipal Hall
      o Open House #2: September 13, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Mt. Boucherie Municipal Hall
- Members of City staff and council will be at the Westbank Farmers’ Market for the rest of August and the first two weeks of September.
- Staff and council will also be available at Friday’s Music in the Park
- Information kiosks will be available at all City facilities around town
- You can also get all the information you need at www.westkelownacity.ca/cityhall
- Information on how and where to vote can be found at www.westkelownacity.ca/referendum

“We urge you to take advantage of all the opportunities to get the information you need to make an informed decision, and a decision that is right for you,” said Findlater. “And then we urge you to get out and vote, so you have your say in the outcome of this process.”

The West Kelowna Civic Centre Project is a new multi-use development planned for Westbank Centre. The proposed development is the result of years of discussion, planning and public engagement about the community’s desire for a centre of civic life.

If approved, it will include a new three-storey City Hall building, owned by the City of West Kelowna, a public square for community use, a commercial building and two residential buildings constructed and owned by the Strategic Development Group, a consortium of local investors.

The project will also involve the renovation required to return the current temporary Municipal Hall at Mt. Boucherie to its intended use as a community centre for all residents’ use.

The proposed Civic Centre Project will:
- not result in any additional tax increase to the people of West Kelowna
- not impact any of the projects currently listed in the City’s 10-Year Capital Plan
- return Mt. Boucherie to its intended use as a community centre
- allow the City to expand the community and recreational services it offers for the benefit of all residents, but especially young families and seniors
- bring all health services currently provided by Interior Health in a number of locations under one roof, with room for expansion
- support the vision of the Westbank Centre Revitalization Plan and the City’s Economic Development Strategy
- leverage private sector investment in the project, which will increase its economic impacts in the area
- reduce the cost burden and risk to taxpayers
- support the City’s long-term vision for the community

For more information, visit www.westkelownacity.ca/cityhall.

News from © iNFOnews, 2016