The District of West Kelowna is proud of the many climate action initiatives it has accomplished. Despite being a young municipality—only five years old—the District of West Kelowna is facing the challenge of climate action head on.
To learn more about our accomplishments in 2012 and find out what we have planned for 2013, please click here to read our 2012 Climate Actions report.
SUMMARY
Endeavoring to create the first OCP and several master plans concurrently, while also starting a municipal government, for a community of 30,000 people, has been a great undertaking, but one that is netting tremendous results for the benefit of West Kelowna, its residents and its environment.
Climate Action goals achieved since incorporation, on December 6, 2007, include:
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Boucherie Road Wine Route upgrade construction in November 2012, with the addition of sidewalks, cycling lanes, bus bays and street trees for 1.4 kilometres between Highway 97 and Stuart Road;
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Brown Road Streetscape improvements, with sidewalks and street trees, starting in 2013;
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Completion of the West Kelowna RCMP Detachment in October 2010, which the District of West Kelowna is applying to have LEED® certified in recognition of its many climate action elements:
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Rain water cistern;
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Green roof;
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Low-E windows; and
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Solar hot water heating;
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Completion of sanitary sewer service extensions to more than 1,400 homes in November 2012;
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Completion of the first Official Community Plan in July 2010, complete with climate action initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in West Kelowna by 33% between 2007 and 2020 and to become carbon neutral in municipal operations by 2012;
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Completion of five concurrent master planning exercises for Agriculture, Parks and Recreation, Storm Water (Drainage), Waterfront, and Westbank Centre Revitalization between 2010 and 2012;
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Plans contain climate action recommendations including: farmland preservation; green space expansion; improved storm water collection, retention, and treatment; waterfront protection; and greater densities, and infill and brownfield development in the urban core;
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Energy efficiency retrofits at several municipal facilities including:
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Jim Lind Arena upgrades in 2013;
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Johnson Bentley Memorial Aquatic Centre HVAC system replacement in 2012; and,
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Lakeview Heights Community Hall upgrade in 2011/2012.
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Ongoing Gellatly Road and Trail improvements, including sidewalks/trails and cycling paths, between 2010 and 2013, with future upgrades to be considered;
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Planned RapidBus expansion to Westbank and Boucherie Centres in cooperation with BC Transit; and,
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The anticipated completion of the Transportation and Water Utilities Master Plans in 2013;
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Plans will contain recommendations for: emissions reductions by shifting from use of the single occupant vehicle to alternate modes of transportation; and, water conservation, treatment and source protection.
CONTACT US
To learn more, please contact the District of West Kelowna's Development Services Division at: