Lake Country News  

Six-storey downtown building would be the tallest in Lake Country if approved

Tallest in Lake Country

Photo: Contributed

Proposed Hill Road development

Details related to a new seniors project in Lake Country are being revealed.

A rezoning application will go before council Tuesday for a vacant property on Hill Road in downtown Lake Country.

And, if eventually approved, it would become the tallest building in Lake Country.

According to the application, the developer is seeking to rezone the property to a comprehensive development zone for what is proposed to be a six-storey mixed-use development.

Presently, there are no six-storey buildings in Lake Country, however, a few are also in the pipeline.

The maximum height allowed in Lake Country without variances, is six storeys.

If approved as is, the project would include commercial space on the ground floor with five storeys of residential above featuring 70 “purpose-built, affordable/attainable rental units.”

The development would be a seniors-oriented, affordable rental housing project, designed to address community needs, long-term housing and livability objectives. The district is leasing the land to the developer for a 65-year term at a cost of just $10.

“The proposed development aligns with the objectives of the Housing Okanagan Foundation and supports the objectives identified in the district’s Housing Needs Assessment by increasing housing supply and promoting a greater diversity of housing options,” staff wrote in its report.

“The project is proposed to include primarily one to three bedrooms units including 15 adaptable units to support accessibility, mobility and aging in place.”

Parking would be made available for 41 vehicles, 11 commercial and 30 residential both underground and surface, with 48 bicycle stalls proposed.

The project would include two buildings and three distinctive towers with access between the buildings.

A community garden, patio, outdoor barbecue and interconnected walking paths are also proposed.

With its proximity to Highway 97, the Ministry of Transportation would have to sign off on the project before final adoption.

Dog owners warned after raw meat discovered at Woodsdale Dog Park in Lake Country

Possible suspect found

Photo: Rhea Morgan/ Facebook

Cutline: Raw meat was discovered at the Woodsdale dog park behind the tennis courts in Lake Country on Thursday morning.

UPDATE: 7:06 p.m.

Mounties in Lake Country say they have identified an individual in connection with an investigation into raw meat being suspiciously left inside the dog park on Woodsdale Road Thursday morning.

“However, police have not confirmed this person as a suspect and their involvement remains unknown,” Lake Country RCMP said in a statement.

“At this time, officers are not aware of any animals being harmed and it has not been established whether the food was intentionally placed to bait or injure animals.”

Police were called to the park earlier in the day after receiving a report that meat and other food items had been left in the area.

According to Mounties, the caller removed the food before officers arrived, and an individual seen in the park around the same time was identified.

"Lake Country RCMP remind the public that leaving food in parks is unsafe, as it can attract wildlife, pose a risk to domestic animals and create concern for park users," police said.

Anyone who has seen suspicious activity in local parks or elsewhere are encouraged to contact Lake Country RCMP at 250-766-2288 or anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers.

ORIGINAL: 1:19 p.m.

Residents are being urged to use caution after raw meat was reportedly discovered at the Woodsdale dog park behind the tennis courts in Lake Country.

Rhea Morgan shared details of the incident on the Lake Country Community Facebook page Thursday morning, warning fellow dog owners about what she described as suspicious activity in the area.

''Caution raw meat found at the Woodsdale dog park. Do not bring your dogs down here today. Police have been called,” Morgan wrote in her post.

Morgan said the incident occurred just before 11 a.m. while she was walking into the park.

She believes she saw the suspect.

“I was walking into the park as he was leaving and thought it was suspicious that he didn't have a dog with him but was carrying a black dog waste bag that appeared to have a deli container inside of it,” she said.

She added that she became concerned after observing the man leave the area.

“I don't want anything bad to happen to anyone's dog and I watched the guy take off on a bike down the rail trail,” Morgan said.

Lake Country RCMP are on the scene investigating.

Okanagan man charged after rifle allegedly fired through floor

Rifle fired through floor

Photo: Kathy Michaels

FILE-Kelowna Law Courts.

A man accused of firing a rifle inside a Lake Country home has been released on bail after turning himself in on an outstanding warrant.

Colin Bayley, 36, is charged with storage of a firearm and possession of a firearm, contrary to an order, relating to a January 2025 incident.

At that time, residents in the downstairs portion of a home reported that a bullet came through their ceiling and into their floor from the unit above.

“The only people upstairs … were this gentleman, Mr. Bayley, and his wife,” the Crown said in a brief court appearance earlier this week.

Afterward, the downstairs residents saw Bayley leaving in his truck while allegedly carrying a rifle case, the court heard. A couple of days later, Bayley was involved in a rollover crash and was arrested.

The charges on the firearm case was not sworn until roughly a year after the incident, and a warrant was issued. Bayley turned himself in shortly thereafter, after learning about the B.C. warrant.

“He’s not trying to evade these charges,” defence lawyer Cory Armour said. “He surrendered himself on Friday with the expectation that this matter would be dealt with.”

Bayley also has charges relating to an Ontario issue, but he was arrested and released on those charges. He's living with his father in Armstrong and subject to ankle-bracelet monitoring. His father is already acting as a $50,000 surety in the Ontario case.

Bayley works as a metal fabricator and operates a shop in the Lake Country area, court heard.

The judge was told Bayley’s B.C. criminal record is not extensive, although he has prior convictions. He accepted the proposal for release with a $1,000 cash deposit and a number of conditions. Those included living at his father's Armstrong address, reporting to a bail supervisor in Kelowna, a 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew with exceptions for approved employment, no contact with three residents of the Lake Country home and a prohibition on possessing any weapons or firearms.

The judge emphasized that compliance with the no-weapons condition was critical, given the nature of the charges.

Bayley is scheduled to return to court on Feb. 24.

O’Rourke Family Estate Winery in Lake Country expands dining options

O'Rourke expands dining

A huge new winery and events centre taking shape in Lake Country is now open for public dining.

Row 188 restaurant at O’Rourke Family Estate Winery is accepting reservations for Friday and Saturday evenings.

Starting on the May long weekend, Row 188 will open five days a week, from Thursday to Monday. At the same time, the Granite Cafe, located next to the restaurants, will open for wine tastings.

“We decided to allow the guests to come and taste the wines that we have produced since 2019, in what will be our satellite, or pop-up tasting room, which is the Granite Cafe,” said Carlos Melayes, manager of event operations and accommodations at O’Rourke.

“In the future, once the proper tasting rooms are finished, this will become more of a food outlet (for) brunch, lunch or also will be used as a retail or concession room whenever we’re hosting public events in the amphitheatre.”

The expansive facility built around a granite outcrop has already proven popular for special events, including concerts in its outdoor amphitheatre overlooking Okanagan Lake.

The permanent tasting rooms could be completed by later this year. That facility stands atop an indoor theatre space, unlike anything you’re likely find in any other winery in North America.

“On the lower floor, we’ll have a mounted stage with the floor open for us solely for the configurations of the events we will be hosting,” Melayes explained. “Additionally, on the lower floor, there’s going to be a private bar we call The Chapel.

On the second level of the theatre, there will be balcony seating and another private bar.

A new entrance to the winery off Barkley Road should be ready for visitors by the time Row 188 and the Granite Cafe open five days a week.

Winery manager Ian Scromeda estimates construction at O’Rourke Family Estate Winery is 80 to 85 per cent complete. Bookings for weddings and other private events are already about 30 per cent ahead of last year.

“We’re looking to do something very high-end, very unique for the Okanagan,” said Scromeda. “So, we want to provide the best culinary and hospitality experience you can have in the Okanagan. That’s exactly what we’re working towards.”

The 2026 tax burden on Lake Country residents takes a dip

Growth lowers tax hit

Photo: District of Lake Country

Lake Country municipal hall

A higher than anticipated rate of growth in Lake Country this year is good news for taxpayers.

An increased forecast in the rate of growth from 1.5 to two per cent means the expected 2026 property tax increase is proposed to come in at 5.75 per cent, down from the 6.25 per cent council gave initial approval to in December

While the overall tax demand, pegged at $1.871 million more than 2025 remains, the increased growth forecast lowers the property tax increase for individual taxpayers.

Lake Country CFO Trevor James says the increase in the 2026 budget is made up of five factors, inflation, contracts and wage increases (+$648,000), infrastructure funding (+$190,000), RCMP (+$438,000), transit (+$180,000) and taxation portion of additional full-time employees (+$415,000).

A 5.75 per cent tax increase works out to about a $160 increase for the owner of a typical single family home in Lake Country.

Council is expected to debate second and third reading of the 2026 budget Tuesday.

Suspicious fire spreads to shed, damages modular home in Lake Country

Fire spreads to shed

Photo: Madison Reeve

The Kelowna and Lake Country fire departments responded to a fire on Beaver Lake Road on Sunday, February 8, 2026.

A suspicious fire damaged a home and property on Beaver Lake Road Sunday evening.

Multiple units from the Kelowna Fire Department and Lake Country Fire Department responded around 6:00 p.m. to reports of an outdoor fire that had spread to a structure in the 700 block of Beaver Lake Road.

By the time crews arrived, a shed was engulfed in flames between two modular homes.

Crews were able to quickly knock down the blaze, but not before it destroyed the shed and caused minor damage to one of the modular homes and a sea can storage container.

The Kelowna Fire Department said the fire is considered to be suspicious. The cause is under investigation.

KFD initially responded with five engines, a rescue unit, a water tender and a command unit including 23 fire personnel. The Lake Country Fire Department responded with one engine, one pumper, a water tender and a command unit including 12 fire personnel.

No one was injured and no residents were displaced by the fire.

Increase in daytime coyote activity, says District of Lake Country

Coyotes on the prowl

Photo: District of Lake Country

Residents are urged to remain cautious following reports of daytime coyote activity in parts of Lake Country.

The District of Lake Country is advising residents to remain cautious after reports of daytime coyote activity in several areas of the community.

In a Facebook post shared Friday, the district said sightings have been reported around OK Centre Road, particularly north of Pebble Beach.

Residents are encouraged to follow guidance from WildSafeBC to reduce the risk of negative encounters.

Recommendations include reporting sightings to the BC Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277, keeping dogs on short leashes, avoiding extension leashes, and walking in groups when possible. Carrying a solid walking stick and keeping a safe distance from coyotes is also advised.

WildSafeBC also recommends securing potential attractants, including feeding pets indoors and promptly picking up dog feces, which can attract coyotes.

Planned BC Hydro power outage scheduled for Lake Country

Planned outage tonight

Photo: BC Hydro

BC Hydro plans a power outage in Lake Country to restore equipment

BC Hydro has scheduled a planned power outage affecting parts of the District of Lake Country Thursday night.

The outage is set to begin at 9 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5, and is expected to last until approximately 5 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 6. BC Hydro says all impacted customers should have received notification by automated phone call or email.

Traffic signals at the intersection of Beaver Lake Road and Highway 97 will be affected during the outage.

Traffic control personnel will be on site to flag vehicles through the intersection.

The outage is expected to impact just under 800 homes.

A full list of addresses affected by the planned outage is available on BC Hydro’s website.

Lake Country to provide land for seniors housing development

Land for seniors housing

Photo: Housing Okanagan Foundation

A render of a planned seniors housing development in Lake Country.

The District of Lake Country is providing land to a non-profit developer to allow for a new seniors housing project in the community.

The municipality announced Thursday it will lease the district-owned lot at 3151 Hill Road to the Housing Okanagan Foundation for a 65-year term at a cost of just $10.

The lease agreement is conditional on HOK obtaining funding approval, however, the district says having the necessary land agreement in place will allow the proposed development to be “shovel-ready” if funding can be secured.

“Securing this partnership is a major step in our commitment to diversifying housing in Lake Country,” said Mayor Blair Ireland.

“We often hear from residents that they would like to stay in Lake Country when they downsize, but there aren’t any options. By leveraging District land to support seniors' housing, we aren't just building structures—we’re ensuring our long-time residents can afford to stay in the community they helped build.”

The district says it has identified a significant need for seniors’ housing in Lake Country.

“The proposed partnership is intended to help address this gap, pending provincial approval and funding,” said the municipality in a news release.

A post on Housing Okanagan Foundation's website says the Lake Country project would feature 70 long-term rental homes, including a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom units designed to support aging in place, accessibility, and community connection.

"At occupancy, we are targeting 30% of the homes to be at least 20% below market rents, helping address the growing need for affordable seniors housing in Lake Country," said the foundation.

Under the agreement, Housing Okanagan Foundation would be responsible for designing and constructing the building. They would also operate and maintain the building for the duration of the lease.

At the end of the 65-year lease period, ownership of the land and all buildings or improvements would return to the district.

The Housing Okanagan Foundation is also working on a pair of projects in Kelowna, including an 18-storey mass timber tower.

Fire crews douse Highway 97 minivan fire near Oyama

Minivan fire slows traffic

Photo: Jessica Bosse

Fire crews douse a vehicle fire on Highway 97 Sunday morning.

Fire crews doused a vehicle fire on Highway 97 near Lake Country Sunday morning.

Just before 11 a.m., a red Chrysler minivan caught fire south of the Pelmewash Parkway near Oyama, in the southbound lanes.

Lake Country Fire Rescue responded to the vehicle fire and extinguished the blaze, but the van was largely destroyed.

The fire appears to have started in the rear of the minivan, photos show, as the front end of the vehicle remained unscathed. The cause of the fire is not known at this time.

The incident has slowed southbound traffic in the area.