Welcome to B.C.'s 51st city

Photo: Wayne Moore - Castanet

Premier Christy Clark made it official Friday. West Kelowna is B.C.'s 51st city.

With a population just shy of 31,000, West Kelowna slots in as the province's 21st most populated city, ahead of Langford, Langley, Courtenay and White Rock.

"I think all of you would agree that for some time this has been a city in all but name," said Clark, who also serves as the area's MLA.

"Thirty thousand residents, 1,400 businesses, and so it is time to recognize that reality. So, it is my pleasure to announce today that West Kelowna will officially become British Columbia's 51st city."

The announcement is the latest in a tumultuous journey from unincorporated regional area to District Municipality of Westside to District Municipality of West Kelowna and now City of West Kelowna.

"I think I am comfortable in saying this name is here to stay. We're not going to do any more name changes – that will be a relief to staff," said Findlater.

The mayor stated the city is growing quickly in all facets, and he believes the name change will help with that growth and with a sense of identity.

"A significant benefit of changing the designation is the perceived image people have of district versus city. It can be associated with a rural small town versus an urban, dynamic city, which is what we are," said Findalter.

"The change will also help alleviate the confusion to new residents and investors to West Kelowna, particularly in relation to the regional district and the District of West Kelowna."

Findlater said the cost of the changeover to taxpayers will be minimal. The city already spent $1,500 to hold an alternative approval process, and Findlater expects other changes in signage and stationery will cost another $1,500.

The announcement came a little more than eight years (June 16, 2007) after residents narrowly voted for self governance rather than amalgamation with the City of Kelowna.

In what was a heated and sometimes nasty campaign that divided some neighbourhoods, 51.49 per cent voted in favour of incorporation.

A little more than three weeks later, then community services minister Ida Chong bestowed the name Westside District Municipality.

In the fall of that year, Rosalind Neis, a nurse at Kelowna General Hospital who had never held political office, became the municipality's first mayor.

Her platform was aimed at trying to get the referendum set aside and joining the City of Kelowna. That never happened.

Several months later, a committee made up of citizens and councillors was struck to identify potential names for the municipality.

It became clear Westbank and West Kelowna would be the two front runners and, as with the first referendum, clear divisions emerged.

The Nov. 15, 2008, civic election ballot included a non-binding question asking residents it they wanted to change the name and, if yes, which of four choices they favoured.

West Kelowna won by less than 200 votes over Westbank.