(BRIE WELTON / iNFOnews.ca)

KELOWNA - It's one of the few places in Kelowna that has stayed relatively unchanged since it opened.

For almost 20 years, thousands of kids have enjoyed the waterpark and playground at Ben Lee Park in Rutland.

It's a staple destination for class trips in the school year and birthday parties in the summer. What many never realize is that there was an incredible man behind the park's name — Ben Lee.

(BRIE WELTON / iNFOnews.ca)

The park, which officially opened in June 2001, was named after a teacher with a 40-year career and city councillor, who served on council for 23 years from 1973 to 1996.

Born in Armstrong, Lee was a long-time Rutland resident passionate about the community. He played a role in the development of the city’s Heritage Management Plan and Guisachan Heritage Park and was instrumental in the integration of Rutland into the City of Kelowna in 1973.

Former Kelowna Councillor Ben Lee.

Image Credit: Wikipedia

For this reason, Lee was often affectionately referred to as the "Mayor of Rutland." He was involved with coaching and taught in the Central Okanagan School District for 34 years. 

Lee founded the Kelowna Multicultural Society and the Chinese Cultural Society and was Chair of the Regional District’s Park Committee from 1983 to 1996.

Due to his commitment to volunteer work and preserving culture in the community, he won the Public Service Award of the Vancouver Multicultural Society of B.C. in 1989.

In 2001, Lee was one of 17 people to have ever been awarded the Freedom of the City Award in Kelowna.

The community went into mourning in 2016 when Lee passed away after a battle with cancer at the age of 86.

A celebration of life was held at Ben Lee park in honour of Lee, who had been a pillar in the community since the '70s. Hundred attended to pay their respects.

Today, the park is as busy as ever, and includes a skatepark and basketball court for those who've outgrown the waterpark and playground. 

(BRIE WELTON / iNFOnews.ca)

To contact a reporter for this story, email Brie Welton or call (250) 801-9235 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.

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. 

News from © iNFOnews, 2019