West Kelowna Schools

Board of Education planning of Westside schools

Pending the decision by Central Okanagan Public Schools (Board of Education) on May 26, 2021, a new secondary school would open in the City of West Kelowna in September 2025.

As a result of the new Westside Secondary school design and location, two small parcels of land that the City leases, a dog park and community garden adjacent to the École George Pringle Elementary School site, will be decommissioned by the Board of Education in January 2024, and new locations will be established by the City. See drop down menus below.

Advance planning is underway. We will evaluate whether the dog park and community garden could be relocated to the same area together or whether separate locations would be required due to land constraints.

No impacts to the existing amenities would occur prior to January 2024.

There will be no impacts to the City-owned Westbank Centre Park at 2569 May Street, its amenities or the parking area. All amenities will remain operational and unchanged.

Relocating the Okanagan Boys and Girls Club in Summer 2022

The City currently leases the Webber Road Community Centre from the Board of Education that subsequently sub-leases the facility to the Okanagan Boys and Girls Club. The Board of Education indicates they will extend the lease to summer 2022 to provide the Okanagan Boys and Girls Club adequate time to work with the Board of Education and the City to utilize a different facility. The Board of Education will also work with other community centre operators to preserve their services and assist with their transition prior to summer 2022 when the facility will then undergo preparation for the school re-opening in September 2022.

For more information:

Visit the Board of Education’s website at Central Okanagan Public Schools to learn more about the future planning of Westside schools.

Read the Tuesday, May 25th report to Council for more information.

Community Gardens Fact Sheet

Dog Park Fact Sheet

Westbank Centre Community Garden – questions and answers

Can I continue to use the community garden?

Yes. Any changes to the community garden adjacent to the École George Pringle Elementary school site would not occur prior to January 2024.

Will another site for the community garden be found?

Yes. Staff are committed to working with the members of the Central Okanagan Community Garden to explore suitable alternative sites in the area. Once suitable locations are determined, staff will present options for Council’s consideration. This is anticipated to occur prior to the end of this year. Once a preferred location is selected, staff would begin the planning, concepts, budget and construction phases and keep the community engaged, particularly through the Central Okanagan Community Gardens, as we move through the process.

How many community gardens does the City provide?

Find community gardens in West Kelowna at:

New in 2021: Children’s educational garden at 3737 Old Okanagan Highway (coordinated through Johnson Bentley Memorial Aquatic Centre programming)
Rose Meadow Park, at 1511 Rose Meadow Drive (community coordinated)
Shannon Woods Park, at Shannon Woods Drive and Shannon Lake Road (Central Okanagan Community Gardens coordinates plots)
Westbank Centre Park at 2569 May Street (Central Okanagan Community Gardens coordinates)

Westbank Centre Off-leash Dog Park – questions and answers

Can I continue to use the off-leash dog park?

Yes. Any changes to the dog park adjacent to the École George Pringle Elementary school site would not occur prior to January 2024.

Will another site for the off-leash dog park be found?

Yes. Staff have begun to explore suitable alternative sites in the area and across the City. Once suitable locations are determined, staff will present options for Council’s consideration. This is anticipated to occur prior to the end of this year. Once a preferred location is selected, staff would begin the planning, concepts, budget and construction phases and keep the community engaged as we move through the process.

How many off-leash dog parks does the City provide?

We currently operate four off-leash dog parks:

Gellatly Dog Beach, at Boucherie and Gellatly Roads
Marr Fee Park, at 2139 McDougall Road
Shannon Woods Park, at 2490 Shannon Woods Drive
Westbank Centre Park, at 2569 May Street

General questions and answers

What are the benefits to the community?

Staff will continue to explore opportunities with the Board of Education for future reciprocal agreements that will serve our community.

The Board of Education has indicated that the new Westside Secondary school would:

Be on transportation and transit routes;
Accommodate the future growth in West Kelowna;
Include two new regulation sports fields;
Include two new regulation gymnasiums;
Incorporate neighbourhoods of learning space to support community needs; and
Elementary French Immersion programs would be closer to the new school and more accessible to families.

How can I find more information?

Visit the Board of Education’s website at sd23.bc.ca to learn more about the future planning of the Westside schools.

Follow the City’s progress. We will provide information to you about the relocation of the dog park throughout the process. Stay informed by subscribing to receive news and alerts direct to your inbox at westkelownacity.ca/subscribe or online at westkelownacity.ca/westkelownaschools.