District Municipality of Westside, British Columbia

Infobox Settlement
official_name = District Municipality of Westside
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settlement_type = District Municipality
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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = CAN
subdivision_type1 = Province
subdivision_name1 = BC
subdivision_type2 = Region
subdivision_name2 = Okanagan
subdivision_type3 = Regional district
subdivision_name3 = Central Okanagan
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established_title2 = Incorporated
established_date2 = December 7, 2007
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population_as_of = 2007
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population_total = 28,793
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timezone = PST
utc_offset = -8
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latd= 49|latm= 51|lats= 45|latNS=N
longd= 119|longm= 35|longs= 00|longEW=W
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blank_name = Highways
blank_info = 97
blank1_name = Waterways
blank1_info = Lake Okanagan
website = [http://www.districtofwestside.ca http://www.districtofwestside.ca/]
footnotes = The Westside District Municipality is a new local government incorporated in December 2007 in British Columbia's Okanagan. So-named because it encompasses the "west side" of Okanagan Lake directly across from the larger city of Kelowna, the area under the new district municipality's jurisdiction includes the town of Westbank, which comprises just under half of the total population, along with several other communities closer to Kelowna, including Casa Loma, West Kelowna Estates, Shannon Lake, Glenrosa, Rose Valley and Lakeview Heights. The population is presently estimated as [http://www.regionaldistrict.com/about/about_pop.aspx 28,793] .

Embedded within the Municipality of Westside are two self-governing reserves of the Westbank First Nation, [http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/profiles/community/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=5935802&Geo2=PR&Code2=59&Data=Count&SearchText=Tsinstikeptum&SearchType=Contains&SearchPR=59&B1=All&Custom= Tsinstikeptum #9] and [http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/profiles/community/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=5935803&Geo2=PR&Code2=59&Data=Count&SearchText=Tsinstikeptum&SearchType=Contains&SearchPR=59&B1=All&Custom= Tsinstikeptum #10] . Approximately 7,000 non-natives live on the reserves.

The municipality is the second-largest component of the Kelowna-based Regional District of Central Okanagan.

Formation of Westside Municipality

The Municipality of Westside came into existence on December 6, 2007, following a June 16, 2007, referendum in which Westside residents [http://www.kelownadailycourier.ca/stories.php?id=49295 voted to incorporate] by a margin of 5,924 votes to 5,582. The other choice was amalgamation with the City of Kelowna, with a previous question on the ballot offering the option of remaining unincorporated within the regional district's electoral area J. The vote was split along highly geographic lines with voters from Westbank and other areas farther away from the city of Kelowna more often voting to incorporate and voters living closer to Kelowna much more likely to vote for amalgamation.

On November 17 2007, Westside residents elected Rosalind Neis as the new mayor. Her election platform consisted of promising to disincorporate the new city, and join the city of Kelowna. However, five of the six newly elected city councilors disagree with Neis's platform. Disincorporation would [http://www.qp.gov.bc.ca/statreg/stat/L/96323_02.htm#section26 require] (1) a resolution of the city council, (2) 60% of all voters in the municipality to sign a petition to that effect and (3) a new referendum. As a result, it is seen by most observers as unlikely.

Development and Growth

Demographically, the Westside has been growing almost geometrically. Between 2001 and 2006, the population of the area grew by [http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/profiles/community/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=5935020&Geo2=PR&Code2=59&Data=Count&SearchText=okanagan&SearchType=Contains&SearchPR=59&B1=All&Custom= 11.4%] .

Traditional shopping areas on the Westside have been downtown Westbank, the Lakeview Heights Shopping Centre and in other small centres. However, in the 1990s, Canadian federal grant money allowed the Westbank First Nation to bring in water supplies from Okanagan Lake which has allowed them to open their reserves to major development. Starting with a shopping centre at the juncture between Westbank and I.R. #10, right next door to "downtown" Westbank, the Westbank First Nation has begun building major commercial developments all along Highway 97 as it passes through the reserve. In the fall of 2006 'big-box' shopping centre was opened on Westbank First Nation land. This new shopping area is called the "Hub Centre" in honour of the former occupant of the site, a hub cap shop. Nearby developments include the 18-hole Two Eagles Golf Course and attendant housing, other major on-reserve housing developments, and another major shopping centre on the other side of the highway.

chools

The Westside is part of School District 23 Central Okanagan. Lakeview Heights is home to the centrally located [http://www.mbs.sd23.bc.ca Mount Boucherie Secondary School] . As well, the Westside includes two Middle schools; [http://www.cnb.sd23.bc.ca Constable Neil Bruce] and [http://www.gms.sd23.bc.ca Glenrosa] Middle schools. There are many well situated elementary schools serving the Westside like [http://www.hre.sd23.bc.ca Hudson Road] and [http://www.rve.sd23.bc.ca Rose Valley Elementary] and [http://www.gre.sd23.bc.ca/ Glenrosa Elementary]

Recreation

Alongside Mount Boucherie Secondary School is the Mount Bouceherie [http://www.regionaldistrict.com/departments/parks/westside/ws_parks_mbcca.aspx Multiplex Centre] housing Mount Boucherie Community Centre, Jim Lind Arena, home to the BCHL team the Westside Warriors, and Royal Lepage Place.

References

External links

* [http://www.westside.ca Westside website]
* [http://www.joinkelowna.com/welcome/ "Join Kelowna" campaign]
* [http://www.ourwestside.ca Ourwestside - Welcome to Canada's Newest City]