As the year comes to an end, it’s tradition to look back over the year that was.
The City of Kelowna is is reflecting on the events and achievements it was involved in over the last 12 months in a Year In Review published on the city’s website.
City Hall is encouraging residents, businesses and visitors to check out the 2015 Year in Review for a quick overview of Kelowna’s accomplishments, major projects and partnerships.
According to city hall, highlights include the acquisition of the abandoned CN Rail corridor with a number of other valley governments, growth of Kelowna’s waterfront through the purchase of a major property on Lakeshore Road, the launch of its Active by Nature program, introduction of its Strong Neighbourhood grants and events that the city hopes will strengthen community connections, and hooking up city facilities and three private sector customers to Kelowna’s fibre optic network, something the city has dubbed “dark fibre.”
Council also approved a provisional budget for 2016 that will carry one of the largest tax increases in recent city memory at 4.12 per cent.
Nearly two per cent of that increase is to pay for the new $54-million police services building that is currently under construction on Clement Avenue in the city’s north End.
2015 also marked the first year of the current council’s four-year mandate, a year Mayor Colin Basran described as busy but rewarding.
Construction also started on a new parkade beside Memorial Arena downtown and expansion of the existing Library Parkade, as well as the new Interior Health office building at the corner of Richter Street and Doyle Avenue and the start of construction on the new Innovation Centre kitty-corner to the IHA building site.
“While the Year in Review is a good summary, the City of Kelowna’s e-updates offer residents and businesses quick and timely information on a number of topics daily throughout the year,” said the city’s communications department in a news release announcing the web-based review.
“From public notices to council agendas and career postings to bidding opportunities, subscribe to e-updates at kelowna.ca and have the latest city news delivered direct to your inbox.”
