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Question MarkAsk West Kelowna

Novel coronavirus

COVID-19

HomeCity HallCOVID-19
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COVID-19: Action, Response and Service Continuation

West Kelowna Council and staff express sincere thanks to the Westside for adhering to COVID-19 protocols and taking care to protect others and themselves.

Let’s continue to stand together to keep seniors, rec users, our families and ourselves healthy and safe and our businesses in operation.

Attending Recreation Programs

  • For recreational programming, check out the 2021 Winter Guide.
  • COVID-19 Guidelines for Recreation Programs:
    • Johnson Bentley Memorial Aquatic Centre
    • Jim Lind and Royal LePage Place Arena 
    • West Kelowna Multi Sport Dome
    • Drop In Gym Sport Programs 
    • Webber Road Community Centre 
  • Please note, use procedures are based on the British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association guidelines found here.

Visiting Municipal Hall

Here is a summary of the evolving actions the City is taking to support the community through COVID-19. We ask that you:

  • Wear masks; non-medical or medical masks, covering the nose and mouth must be worn in all City-operated facilities including access to Municipal Hall, Public Works, Recreation and any other City facility opened to the public. For more information please click here.
  • Conduct as much City business as possible online through our website, phone, email or other digital services.
  • View Council meetings live at westkelownacity.ca/webcasts or the next day through Webcast Archives.
    • There is currently no in-person public attendance at Council Meetings. This policy is reviewed regularly and will be updated when appropriate following Provincial Health Orders.

COVID-19: Operational changes and facilities status 

The table below lists the status of services and facilities in the City of West Kelowna during COVID-19. 

 

City Facilities 
The latest information (as of Dec. 2, 2020) 

Municipal Hall and all City facility buildings

OPEN

Open for limited in-person access. Medical or non-medical masks or face shields covering the nose and mouth must be worn at City-operated facilities.

Read our Welcome Back document here if you plan to visit us in person.

Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, excluding holidays.

Avoid lines and stay safe by continuing to conduct business over the phone, via email and online as much as possible using our points of entry: 

City Hall Main Telephone Line: 778.797.1000

  • City Email Address: info@westkelownacity.ca
  • City Website: westkelownacity.ca 
  • City Facebook: @cityofwestkelowna
  • City Twitter: @westkelownacity 

City Council meetings

Public in-person access is restricted but the proceedings can be viewed via webcast

View meetings live at westkelownacity.ca/webcasts. 

In-person public attendance is restricted at Council Meetings until further notice. The City reviews this protocol regularly and will update in keeping with Provincial Health Orders.

 Public hearings 

OPEN

Public hearings are being held as required. Written submissions are encouraged and will be provided to Council. 

The latest participation procedures are published with each public hearing notice. 

To view the latest public hearing notice, visit calendar.westkelownacity.ca and select the latest public hearing date

City parks, playgrounds and trails

OPEN

Maintain social distancing of two metres, limit gathering sizes. 

Please click here for further information.

Sports fields, skate park, spray park and sports courts. 

OPEN

Maintain social distancing of two metres, limit gathering sizes. 

The spray park closed for the winter season Sep. 25. 

CNR Wharf and Aquatic Park 

Open

The CNR Wharf and Aquatic Park is open with the exception of the zip line.

Dog Parks 

Open 

All dog parks have remained open. Further details can be found here.

Westside Waste Transfer Stations 

OPEN

For more information visit rdco.com/recycle.

 Jim Lind Arena

OPEN

Users should familiarize themselves with the reopening procedures found here. 

Royal LePage Place (arena)

OPEN

Users should familiarize themselves with the reopening procedures found here. 

The indoor walking track remains closed at this time.

Johnson Bentley Memorial Aquatic Centre

OPEN

Open with limited aquatic programming as of Sep. 14. Click here for more information. 

Registration can be completed in person at Johnson Bentley Memorial Aquatic Centre, online through the City of West Kelowna website at westkelownacity.ca/pool or by calling 778-797-7665. 

Multi Sport Centre (dome)

OPEN

Reopen with limited programming. Click here for more information. 

West Kelowna Seniors Centre

CLOSED 

Closed as of Nov. 20, 2020 until further notice. 

Westside Youth Centre

OPEN

The facility has reopened with limited capacity.  

Westbank Lions Community Centre

OPEN

Public gatherings are restricted until further notice in keeping with Provincial Health Orders.

Each rental group will be required to submit a operational and safety plan that indicates they will meet these requirements.

Lakeview Heights Community Hall

CLOSED

Contact facility booking staff for more information at 778-797-8800. 

Webber Road Community Centre

OPEN

Check the Fall Rec Guide for more program information. 

Licensed Child Care programs remain open as part of essential services. 

Westbank Museum and Visitor Centre

OPEN

Open with social distancing protocols.

 

Mar Jok Community Facility

OPEN

Open for the Dragon's Den After School Programming only

Public access to fire halls

CLOSED

For service, please call 778-797-3200 or email wkfr.admin@westkelownacity.ca.  

Washrooms in City parks

CLOSED

Seasonal washrooms closed for winter Oct. 25, 2020. 

Okanagan Regional Library (West Kelowna Branch, non-City facility)

OPEN 

 

The Westbank Branch is in Phase 3 reopening: Browse & Borrow stage.  

Westside Learning Lab is now open. 

For more details, visit the ORL website at orl.bc.ca

 

 

 

Programs and Events  See City Home Page and Calendar of Events

COVID-19: Relief Measures

The City introduced measures for 2020 to lessen the financial hardship and provide greater flexibility for residents:

  • Council reduced the proposed tax rate increase from 4.8 to 2.8 per cent and deferred the property tax payment deadline from July 2 to Oct. 1.
  • Council waived the one per cent interest charge on outstanding utility bills balances through to the end of 2020.
  • Council and staff are partnering with the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission, Westbank First Nation, Greater Westside Board of Trade and others to support the immediate needs of local business and drive for full economic recovery in the Central Okanagan.

COVID-19: Stay connected with the City

In-person access is limited at most facilities. Contact us by phone, email or website. 

Please visit westkelownacity.ca/services for contact emails and phone numbers for our various services.

COVID-19: City Communications with You 

As part of our commitment to serve you and keep you connected during COVID-19, we released several communications during the initial weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic.

These included press releases that you can find here, a series of videos featuring our Mayor and Directors as they explained adjustments to service and an initial message from Mayor Gord Milsom.

These past communications can be found below:

 Watch Our Videos Series Here

As part of our commitment to serve you and keep you connected during COVID-19, please watch our short video clips called the Daily Download for information about temporary adjustments to services. 

  • May 6, 2020: Parks staff hand deliver all 150 trees for the inaugural Urban Re-Leaf program
  • May 1, 2020: The brand new Gellatly Bridge over Powers Creek opens
  • April 29, 2020: A Message from Mayor Gord Milsom
  • April 28, 2020: The National Day of Mourning 
  • The Daily Download: April 20, 2020 from Mayor Gord Milsom and Greater Westside Board of Trade President Craig Garries 
  • The Daily Download: April 15, 2020 from Mayor Gord Milsom
  • The Daily Download: April 9, 2020, a message of gratitude from West Kelowna City Council and Staff
  • The Daily Download: April 8, 2020 from Mayor Gord Milsom
  • The Daily Download: April 7, 2020 with Bylaw Compliance Supervisor Mike Cain
  • The Daily Download: April 6, 2020 with CAO Paul Gipps 
  • The Daily Download: April 3, 2020 from Mayor Gord Milsom
  • The Daily Download: April 2, 2020 from Director of Human Resources Michelle Reid
  • The Daily Download: April 1, 2020 from Mayor Gord Milsom 
  • The Daily Download: March 31, 2020. Parks and Fleet Operations Manager Stacey Harding introduces a new piece of City of West Kelowna equipment.
  • The Daily Download: March 27, 2020 - A Week in Review with CAO Paul Gipps
  • The Daily Download: March 26, 2020 from Director of Engineering & Public Works Allen Fillion 
  • The Daily Download: March 25, 2020 from Mayor Gord Milsom 
  • The Daily Download: March 24, 2020 from Director of Development Services Mark Koch
  • The Daily Download: March 24, 2020 from Chief Financial Officer/Director of Finance Warren Everton
  • The Daily Download: March 23, 2020 from Director of Corporate Initiatives Sandy Webster
  • The Daily Download: March 20, 2020 from West Kelowna Fire Rescue Chief Jason Brolund and RCMP S/Sgt. Duncan Dixon
  • The Daily Download: March 20, 2020 from Mayor Gord Milsom 
  • The Daily Download: March 20, 2020 from Director of Development Services Mark Koch
  • The Daily Download: March 20, 2020 from CAO Paul Gipps on Engineering, Parks and Public Works.
  • The Daily Download: March 19, 2020 from Director of Corporate Initiatives Sandy Webster 
  • The Daily Download: March 19, 2020 from Mayor Gord Milsom 
  • The Daily Download: March 19, 2020 from Chief Administrative Officer Paul Gipps
 Initial Message from Mayor Milsom in March 2020

Taking Care Of Each Other To Prevent The Spread of COVID-19

The safety and well-being of our West Kelowna community, including our staff and Council members, is of utmost importance to our Council. We’re following the recommendations from the BC Ministry of Health and the BC Centre for Disease Control and remaining vigilant to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). 

On behalf of Council, I sincerely thank our community for remaining vigilant by adhering to health authority recommendations in the interest of protecting our health and for those around us. Please, let’s take care of ourselves and each other as we follow the recommendations and get through this together.

Our Senior Management Team is working with emergency management organizations to implement local-to-regional measures to help protect our communities. As we know, the status of COVID-19 is changing daily and we must adhere to the health authority’s recommendation for social distancing to prevent the spread of the virus. This means we’re evaluating the operations of our facilities, and which programs and events should be postponed or cancelled. Council will receive an update from staff later today (March 16) and we will issue the appropriate daily advisories to help keep our community and staff informed and safe.

We’ll also be increasing our electronic tools to stay engaged with our community. We’ll be expanding the use of our live streaming services, increasing our website and social media posts and online feedback. More information will be available in the days ahead.

It is important for our Council and staff to stay connected with our community as we strive to maintain our municipal services and keep the flow of information intact. For those who are not connected to the digital world, our staff will provide information to you over the phone and/or mail information directly to you if you prefer. And, for those who wish to visit us at our City facilities, please use social distancing at all times.

As part of the priority to implement social distancing and to protect our community and staff, we encourage our community to decrease in-person visits for city-related business. Please call us at 778.797.1000 or visit our website at westkelownacity.ca and staff will get you to the right place.

To pay bills online you may also visit the City’s webpage: westkelownacity.ca/en/city-hall/payment-options.

Beginning today, City of West Kelowna staff will be issuing a Daily Brief about any city-related facility closures along with service and event updates in our West Kelowna jurisdiction. This Daily Brief will be posted on the City’s website, e-mailed to our subscribers and posted on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram feeds.

For information regarding facilities and services in the Westbank First Nation jurisdiction, please visit Westbank First Nation Website: www.wfn.ca.

The BC Ministry of Health and the BC Centre for Disease Control remain the centralized source for all COVID-19 information: 

The Ministry of Health

  • Website:
    • news.gov.bc.ca/ministries/health
    • Listen to the Ministry COVID-19 news briefings via the BC Government’s SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/bcgov
  • The BC Centre for Disease Control website:
    • bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19

For City of West Kelowna information:

  • City of West Kelowna facility, service and event information during COVID-19
    • Website: westkelownacity.ca
  •  City of West Kelowna social media posts (for city facilities/services)
    • Facebook: @cityofwestkelowna
    • Twitter: @westkelownacity
    • Instagram: @westkelownacity

Just like our outstanding community members, Council and staff are doing the best we can navigating through this uncharted territory. Remaining healthy inside and out is critically important to all of us, and during times of uncertainty we really are stronger together. Maybe not together as much in-person as we use extra caution, but we remain at your service. I have been so very impressed with our staff and I expect these times to be no different. I’d also like to thank our community for doing your part to protect your health and that of your loved ones.

We’ll be issuing a Daily Brief March 16, 2020 and every weekday until further notice, that will outline any city-related facility closures, event cancellations and other city-related updates so please watch for our city-related information. We’re looking forward to staying the course with our city business while we continue to adhere to health authority recommendations. Please accept our apologies should any temporary disruption to facilities, programs and events occur as we move forward together. 

COVID-19: Support for businesses  

City Council and staff are working alongside our partners at the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission, Westbank First Nation, Greater Westside Board of Trade and others to support the immediate needs of local business and drive for full economic recovery in the Central Okanagan.

Mayor Gord Milsom joined the Regional Mayors’ and WFN Chief’s Economic Recovery Task Force (Economic Recovery Task Force). Initiated by the Mayors of Kelowna, West Kelowna, Lake County and Peachland, as well as the Regional Board Chair and Chief of Westbank First Nation. They will act to support the immediate needs of local business and drive for full economic recovery in the Central Okanagan. 

As part of B.C.’s COVID-19 Action Plan, the B.C. government is providing an additional $5 billion in income supports, tax relief and funding for people, businesses and services in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Please click here for a resource document entitled Suppport for Small Businesses in B.C. from the Province of British Columbia and Small Business BC.

For a comprehensive resource on federal support programs and services for individuals and businesses, as well as Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, please click here. 

COVID-19: Public Health – Where to get COVID-19 information

As we move forward, we all must ensure we are reading and seeking accurate, reliable information about the COVID-19 situation and how we should all respond.

Please use trusted sources such as the BC Centre for Disease Control, IHA, the B.C. Ministry of Health, and the Public Health Agency of Canada.

The Public Health Agency of Canada has set up a COVID-19 information telephone line at:
1-833-784-4397. 

Anyone exposed to, or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, should contact their primary care provider or call 8-1-1.

Reduce the spread of COVID-19 – Wash your hands

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