City council gives new vision for Kelowna Tolko mill site unanimous approval
Kelowna city council has unanimously approved going ahead with the new vision for the redevelopment of the 40-acre property on the north end of downtown.
Vernon-based Tolko Industries' massive lumber mill in Kelowna closed in 2020, and four years later there is finally a plan to redevelop the area that city council is happy with.
City council was presented with a plan for the area today, Oct. 28, and councillors agreed it was a far better vision for the city than previous concepts. The plan includes 3,500 homes, 4.9 acres of public spaces, mixed use buildings, lots of parking and a flexible plan for a build-out over 25 to 30 years.
“I know that I was quite critical of the last iteration, but what I see today is really inspiring. I think it's a great start to the master plan to move into the next few phases,” councillor Loyal Wooldridge said in the meeting now that he has returned to city hall from an unsuccessful campaign as BC NDP’s Kelowna Centre candidate.
READ MORE: Kelowna looking to acquire 10 properties for waterfront parks
Today’s unanimous vote approved the technical studies needed in order to draft a final plan for the site. The final plan will then go through a community engagement process and people can give the city feedback on the vision for such a large, waterfront propperty in the centre of the city.
The plan needs to be able to evolve with the city over the next three decades.
“The one constant is change,” councillor Luke Stack said. “We can't foresee the future. And I think that keeping a large area gives you a tremendous ability to really put a successful cap on this.”
There is still a long way to go until permits are issued and construction commences, but city council said this new plan was a big step in the right direction.
Since parking is a big concern the development plan envisions two-storey parkades integrated into mixed use buildings to avoid massive parking garages dominating the area.
Part of the development focuses on incorporating historic buildings to turn the industrial history of the site into public spaces in a way that Coun. Stack compared to Granville Island in Vancouver.
Mayor Tom Dyas said getting something built as early as next summer is on the table.
“I think bringing people down there will help with the public engagement process of everyone understanding what is the possibility for that in the future,” Dyas said.
Find past stories on the former Tolko mill site here.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Jesse Tomas or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw. Find our Journalism Ethics policy here.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. SUBSCRIBE to our awesome newsletter here.
