Council Adopts First Waterfront Plan

News Release
Council Adopts First Waterfront Plan

A new, comprehensive document will guide future decision making regarding West Kelowna’s waterfront for the next 50 years.

The Waterfront Plan provides recommendations for preserving, developing and enhancing the lakefront, making it an active and attractive destination for residents and visitors. The plan will assist the municipality in setting policies and identify affordable projects that can be undertaken in the short (over the next five years), medium (five to 10 years) and long (11+ years) terms.

Mayor Doug Findlater said Council is pleased to add the Waterfront Plan to a chest of valuable tools that is available to guide growth in the District of West Kelowna. The Waterfront Plan is the fourth major planning document that Council has adopted this year, in addition to the Westbank Centre Plan, Official Community Plan and Agricultural Plan.

“The Waterfront Plan shows us a way forward in developing our waterfront into a place where residents and visitors are drawn to, for rest and relaxation, events, and recreation,” said Findlater. “The plan contains many excellent recommendations that Council will be able to consider in the near future, some as early as next year.”

The plan recommends 22 short term recommendations that Council can consider implementing between now and 2016, including:

  • Ongoing upgrades to the Gellatly Recreational Corridor;
  • Planning and design to guide upgrades to the CNR Wharf;
  • Improvements to Marjorie Pritchard Park;
  • Signage at all improved lake accesses;
  • Development of at least two undeveloped lake accesses, and,
  • Creation of no less than two non-motorized boat launches.

    • Mayor Findlater said West Kelowna won’t be able to tackle everything all at once and some of the improvements may depend on the rate of economic turnaround.

    “When the economy improves, and inevitably it will, some of the developments proposed for our waterfront will be back on the table. The Waterfront plan ensures we’re ready to work with development community on these improvements. In the meantime, this document also provides recommendations that the municipality can take action on, and seek funding partnerships on, with other levels of government.”

    Medium and long term recommendations include:

  • Waterfront property acquisition;
  • Ongoing development of undeveloped lake accesses
  • Encourage the development of a new motorized boat launch, potentially in partnership with
  • Westbank First Nation and/or private developers;
  • Upgrades to Willow Beach;
  • New trail connections between the waterfront and upland neighbourhoods; and,
  • Upgrades to Kent, Marina, Powers Point and Rotary and Rotary Trails Parks.

    • The 163-page Waterfront Plan and its appendices and maps can be viewed online at
    www.districtofwestkelowna.ca under Departments/Planning/Waterfront Plan.

    Media Contacts:
    Doug Findlater, Mayor  District of West Kelowna
    Kirsten Jones, Communications Supervisor  District of West Kelowna