City Hall Project

Update: Summer 2022

Recently, West Kelowna Council received an update from staff on the progress of the City Hall/Library Building. Read the full report from the July 12 meeting or watch the Council Meeting webcast.

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Fall 2021: What we heard 

Through two rounds of public consultation in 2021, residents and members of the community had the opportunity to share their feedback about what features and elements of the City Hall/Library Building were most important. In the summer, the community provided feedback on the Preliminary Design, which included: customer experience options, landscaping, lighting, seating and library services. In the fall, we asked for your input on the Detailed Design to help guide the final design of the building and area. Thank you to everyone who took the time to provide us with feedback. 

Below are summaries of what we heard through each round of consultation.

Preliminary Design

Feedback highlights:

 Of the 308 responses to the questionnaire, we heard:

• Customer experience: 75% of people said an in-person information desk or customer service area was important to see within the building
• Outdoor landscaping: 75% of people said drought tolerant and sustainable vegetation was important to incorporate into the landscape design
• Exterior seating: 62% said outdoor seating such as chairs, picnic tables and benches were very important and would contribute to the enjoyment of the space
• Library space and services: 41% said they visited the library once per month, most often to pick up books on hold
• Community gathering spaces: the top three activities people would like to see in the plaza are artisan markets, arts, cultural and heritage exhibitions, and small music events

To learn more about what we heard, read the Preliminary Design Consultation Reports:

• Sept. 7 Report to Council
• Preliminary Design Consultation Summary Report
• Preliminary Design Questionnaire Response Report

Detailed Design

Feedback highlights:

Of the 85 responses to the questionnaire, we heard:

Customer experience:

• 58% of participants were supportive of a contactless drive-through payment drop box at City Hall
• Comments suggested support for an in-person customer service area that offer privacy for conversations with staff

• Indoors: participants preferred an open-concept design that incorporates natural light
• Outdoors: participants preferred outdoor seating and picnic tables, FireSmart/drought-tolerant vegetation, shade trees and a community garden

Library space and services:

How we got here

Beginning in 2021, West Kelowna will see the design and construction of its first City Hall since its incorporation in 2007.  A reserve was established as savings to fund the design and construction.

With the momentum of infrastructure investment well underway for water, sewer, roads and sidewalks, it is now time to move forward with delivering a suitable place for City administration. This will allow the City to consolidate its administration resulting in financial and work flow efficiencies. Also, Mt. Boucherie Community Centre will be returned to the Greater Westside area residents to enjoy.

About the project

The City-owned site located at 3731 Old Okanagan Highway is soon to be a vibrant area that provides greater civic services. With its proximity to Westbank Centre, Memorial Park, Johnson Bentley Aquatic Centre (JBMAC) and the Annette Beaudreau Memorial Amphitheatre, the area will be a welcoming place to gather and a catalyst to revitalization. These are exciting times to celebrate how we serve the Greater Westside and all it has to offer as a vibrant place to live, work and play. 

Learn more about the project