Next step in plan for new city hall

Jan 22, 2021 | 1:53 PM Pete McIntyre

West Kelowna Council will review a report at its Jan. 26 regular meeting that recommends award of the design services contract and outlines partnerships and next steps with the City Hall Project.
The purpose of the report is:

For staff to update Council on the site of West Kelowna’s future City Hall/Library building;
For Council to award the Design Services Contract to Johnston Davidson Architecture and move forward from a concept to Preliminary Design;
To confirm the equity partnership between the City and the Okanagan Regional Library, along with an update of community partnerships and potential tenant opportunities; and
To outline the communication and engagement next steps.

For West Kelowna to eventually have a purpose-built City Hall building, and consolidate its functions resulting in improved workflow administration and reduce multiple temporary building leases, funds were transferred each year into a reserve to reduce the future borrowing amount. That annual contribution to the City Hall Reserve Fund will pay for the loan, which is within the City’s existing budget.

Now that the City has enough reserve funds and an approved borrowing model, staff are seeking Council’s approval of the design contract to move forward into the Preliminary Design phase.

The City’s cost of the project remains unchanged at up to $18 million. As an equity partner, the Okanagan Regional Library is responsible for its capital operating costs. Community partnerships and potential tenants are also important to the success of the project in keeping with Council’s Strategic Priorities as the City continues to strengthen its relationships across the Greater Westside.