A former parks building in West Kelowna is getting a second life as a much-needed space for a youth mental health and education program.
The City of West Kelowna has agreed to lease the facility at 3717 Elliott Road to Central Okanagan Public Schools for just $1 a year, plus utilities. The move helps keep the Take a Hike Program running乌鸦传媒攁 program focused on supporting youth through alternative education, mental health services and outdoor learning.
乌鸦传媒淭his is a terrific, win-win solution that will benefit our Westside youth,乌鸦传媒� Mayor Gord Milsom said.
The lease was approved unanimously by the mayor and council on June 24. The agreement is for one year, with an option to renew for a second.
Take a Hike currently supports about 50 students and relies on a space that includes a classroom, a private office for a mental health clinician, and storage for outdoor gear.
乌鸦传媒淲e had no place for this program to go for the 2025/2026 school year, as we continue to adjust to budgeting shortfalls,乌鸦传媒� said Julia Fraser, Chair of the Central Okanagan Board of Education. 乌鸦传媒淏ut thanks to the City of West Kelowna, and their strong partnership with Central Okanagan Public Schools, we have this ideal solution.乌鸦传媒�
Without the lease, the building likely would have sat empty while the city figured out a long-term plan for the site.
The facility originally came into city hands in 2011 when the former Westbank Irrigation District was dissolved. It was then used by the city乌鸦传媒檚 parks department until staff and equipment were moved to the new operations centre on Bartley Road.
To learn more about the Take a Hike Program, visit the .
