Have your say! Engagement to restore Mt. Boucherie Community Centre is underway

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, April 20, 2022

The Mt. Boucherie Community Centre (MBCC) Restoration Project is underway from April 20 through June 20, and we want to hear from you as we begin to transition this much-loved facility back to the community in time for its 50^thanniversary in 2024.

As part of the project, the City of West Kelowna is developing a facility plan to restore the interior of the building to its former state as a community centre with a special emphasis on capturing memories of the MBCC from 1974 to 2008. This is an exciting opportunity to collect, preserve and share stories of events and activities over the years.

“Returning Mt. Boucherie Community Centre back to the community has been one of Council’s priorities for years and every day we’re getting closer to increasing the access to recreation for everyone across the Greater Westside,” says Mayor Gord Milsom. “Our community consultation earmarks an exciting new time for kids of all ages to tell us their vision of what Mt. Boucherie Community Centre could be, and celebrate its 50th anniversary with stories and memories of what it meant to our community. From celebrations to community gatherings and physical recreation, our West Kelowna Council encourages everyone across the Greater Westside to celebrate the past and shape the future as we continue to invest in infrastructure that serves our great community,” says Milsom.

In 2008, when the City repurposed the MBCC as a temporary City Hall, it was the only municipally-owned community centre at the time. With the return of the MBCC it will be one of five indoor facilities available to enhance the community’s access to future recreation and culture programs for our rapidly growing community.

The City’s online engagement platform, OurWK.ca, provides the opportunity to receive public input and collect the community’s memories through storytelling and photo-sharing tools. Contributions will be compiled and captured in digital and print format as part of the official opening of the community centre.

Visit us online at OurWK.ca/restoreMBCC: 

• review the display boards

• complete the online questionnaire

• add comments to the Ideas portal

• share a favourite memory, photo or story about MBCC

Get involved and participate in-person:

• drop by one of our pop-up engagement activities

• visit the display at Westbank Library or Westbank Lions Community Hall

Outdoor pop-up engagement activities will be contingent on weather and current COVID-19 restrictions. Visit us online or contact us directly for the latest schedule. Completed questionnaires can be dropped off at Municipal Hall (2760 Cameron Road) or the Westbank Library (2484 Main Street).

No internet access? Contact us at 778-797-1234 for printed copies of the materials, including the questionnaire for pick up at City Hall. Print at home kits are also available at OurWK.ca/restoreMBCC.

With the City Hall/Library Building under construction, the conversion back to a community centre will begin in the spring of 2023. Feedback from the public will help develop future planning for the MBCC and create opportunities for our community to gather and stay active.

To stay up to date on current engagement opportunities, sign up at westkelownacity.ca/subscribe.