West Kelowna, formerly known as Westbank and colloquially known as Westside, is a city nestled in British Columbia's Okanagan Valley. The city is a mosaic of distinct neighbourhoods, including Casa Loma, Gellatly, Glenrosa, Lakeview Heights, Shannon Lake, Smith Creek, Rose Valley, Westbank, and West Kelowna Estates. As of December 31, 2018, West Kelowna had an estimated population of 34,883.
West Kelowna was incorporated on December 6, 2007, as Westside District Municipality, reflecting the name of a former Central Okanagan Regional District rural electoral area. On January 30, 2009, the municipality was renamed West Kelowna and was reclassified as the City of West Kelowna on June 26, 2015.
The establishment of Westside District Municipality followed a referendum on June 16, 2007, where Westside residents voted to incorporate by a margin of 5,924 votes to 5,582. The first mayor of the newly incorporated area was Rosalind Neis, followed by Doug Findlater and Gord Milsom.
During the November 2008 civic election, residents selected "West Kelowna" as the permanent name for the municipality. The new name was confirmed by the municipal council on December 9, 2008, and became official on January 30, 2009.
West Kelowna is located on the central western shores and hillsides of Okanagan Lake. It serves as the primary gateway to the Central Okanagan from the west via Highway 97C, the Okanagan Connector. The city is bordered by the District of Peachland, Central Okanagan West Electoral Area, and two self-governing reserves of the Westbank First Nation, Tsinstikeptum 9 and Tsinstikeptum 10.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, West Kelowna had a population of 36,078 living in 13,974 of its 14,746 total private dwellings, a change of 10.5% from its 2016 population of 32,655.
West Kelowna is a hub of recreational and cultural activities. The Mount Boucherie Community Centre includes Royal LePage Place arena, home to the BCHL team the West Kelowna Warriors, and Jim Lind Arena for ice sport clubs such as hockey, figure skating, and ringette.
The city also offers a lakefront walking trail alongside Gellatly Road and several swimming areas along Okanagan Lake, including Willow Beach. Johnson Bentley Memorial Aquatic Centre, in downtown Westbank, offers indoor public swimming and recreational programs.
West Kelowna is home to several community and regional parks, offering soccer pitches, ball fields, children's play areas, and hiking trails. The city also hosts free Friday night concerts in July and August at Annette Beaudreau Amphitheatre in Memorial Park.
For golf enthusiasts, Shannon Lake Golf Course is the only 18-hole golf course in the City of West Kelowna. The Westbank Museum offers pioneer exhibits, artefacts and archives, while neighbouring Westbank First Nation operates an indigenous museum.
