News Release
New Plan Leads the Way to Westbank Centre Revitalization
A new action oriented plan, that has received widespread input from developers, business owners, stakeholders and the public will provide new guidelines to encourage growth in the Westbank Centre.
Council adopted the Westbank Centre Revitalization Plan at its meeting on August 16, 2011 and Mayor Doug Findlater said the District of West Kelowna will soon shift its focus to implementing recommendations in the plan.
“Council placed a high priority on the creation of a plan for Westbank Centre that would include realistically achievable actions to kick start vitalization and demonstrate the tremendous value the municipality places on the Westbank area – the commercial core of West Kelowna.”
The plan outlines actions that the municipality, the business community and developers can take, individually and collectively over the next 25 years, to create a vibrant urban and commercial centre.
“Council’s endorsement of this plan marks the end of a lengthy but worthwhile journey, spearheaded by District staff and consultants, complete with key feedback from residents, the business and development communities and partner groups and agencies,” said Findlater. “The result is a valuable and viable blueprint that will lead the way to Westbank Centre renewal.”
Findlater said Council will work with staff to determine which action items should be addressed within the next year. The District of West Kelowna has set aside $250,000 in the 2011 Budget for Westbank Centre improvements.
“I recognize we’re in a flat economy and that is going to create challenges to make this happen; but we are budgeting to kick start the vitalization process. This plan has all the elements needed to attract partnerships with other players, namely the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, developers and the business community.”
A key recommendation in the plan is the proposed creation of a Business Improvement Area to encourage discussion and form partnerships with the local business community in order to move the plan forward.
Major transportation components of the plan include development of a transit exchange and the reconfiguration of the Highway 97 couplet. The plan proposes that the municipality work with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to convert Dobbin Road – Highway 97 northbound – into a two-way corridor so that Main Street can be transformed into a more pedestrian friendly, two-way local street.
Other core components of the plan include new design guidelines; phased, strategic public investments to encourage private development; consideration of six-storey building heights; enhancements to Westbank’s cultural and heritage assets; and, preservation of agricultural operations.
To view the plan, visit www.districtofwestkelowna.ca. Go to Departments/Planning/Westbank Centre Revitalization Plan.
Media Contacts:
Mayor Doug Findlater, District of West Kelowna
Kirsten Jones, Communications Supervisor
