The City of West Kelowna and Okanagan Regional Library (ORL) officially celebrated the opening of the new City Hall/Library Building at a ribbon cutting event.
The City partnered with the ORL to design, build and operate its first purpose-built City Hall and West Kelowna Library Branch located at 3731 Old Okanagan Hwy in West Kelowna. The MP and MLA offices are also located on the main floor, and pilot projects from ICBC and Service BC are in the planning stages located on the second floor.
“For the past 17 years, the City has been conducting administrative services out of temporary facilities so to celebrate this civic centre building that our community can be proud of is truly outstanding,” said Mayor Gord Milsom. “We couldn’t be more grateful to commemorate this moment together with the Library, with Westbank First Nation leaders, with our MP and MLA, and with ICBC and Service BC.”
“We are thrilled to announce the grand opening of the West Kelowna Library in conjunction with the opening of the new West Kelowna City Hall,” said Danielle Hubbard, CEO of the Okanagan Regional Library. “This partnership represents a significant milestone for our community, providing a central hub for learning, culture, and civic engagement. We look forward to welcoming residents to these new facilities and continuing our mission to foster a love of reading and lifelong learning.”
“We also extend our sincere gratitude to previous members of Council, ORL Board members, Westbank First Nation members and the many City staff who contributed to making this beautiful building a reality today,” said Milsom. “On behalf of West Kelowna Council, thank you to everyone who joined us as we welcome our community to an inclusive civic centre area, earmarked in collaboration with the Westside Multiculturalism Day event today in Memorial Park. West Kelowna is the place to be – a place where everyone is welcome -and we look forward to serving our community from a proper administration facility for generations to come.
“We give special thanks to Westbank First Nation’s partnership and to Elder Grouse Barnes who blessed this building on the traditional territory of the Okanagan/syilx People before we began construction and again today as we continue to move forward together in a good way,” says Milsom. “From the outset of this project, Westbank First Nation has worked with the City and the ORL to provide input into incorporating Indigenous art, language and culture elements in stages. We remain grateful for their guidance as our community partner and we look forward to our continued work together to benefit our Westside community.”
Featured image: (City of West Kelowna)
