Westbank, British Columbia
Encyclopedia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
. It is 12 km to the west of Kelowna
Kelowna
Kelowna is a city on Okanagan Lake in the Okanagan Valley, in the southern interior of British Columbia, Canada. Its name derives from a Okanagan language term for "grizzly bear"...
. Other communities in West Kelowna include Casa Loma, West Kelowna Estates, Shannon Lake, Smith Creek, Glenrosa, Rose Valley and Lakeview Heights. Westbank is at the southern end of the municipality.
Westbank was for many years an unincorporated area within the Central Okanagan Regional District. Following a December 2007 governance referendum it became a neighborhood within what is now the District of West Kelowna. It has no legal borders since it is a neighborhood and opinions vary as to exactly where Westbank begins and ends. The District of West Kelowna has a total population, including Westbank, of about 28,800.
Westbank Area Attractions
Westbank area has numerous orchards, wineries, golf courses, and is a twenty minute drive away from Crystal Mountain Ski ResortCrystal Mountain (British Columbia)
Crystal Mountain Resort is a small day-use ski area near West Kelowna, British Columbia. It has two chairlifts and a T-bar. It was long known as Last Mountain Ski Resort, but changed its name to Crystal Mountain Resort in the 1990's.-External links:*...
. To the south of Westbank are the towns of Peachland
Peachland, British Columbia
Peachland is a district municipality of approximately 5000 residents in the Okanagan Valley, on the west side of Okanagan Lake in British Columbia, Canada. It was founded in 1899 by John Moore Robinson, although the region had long been home to the Okanagan people...
and Summerland
Summerland, British Columbia
Summerland is a community on the west side of Okanagan Lake in the interior of British Columbia, Canada. The district is between Peachland to the north and Penticton to the south...
, and the city of Penticton.
Recreation
Johnson Bentley Memorial Aquatic Centre is the main recreational facility in Westbank. It includes a 25 m swimming pool, a whirl pool, a steam room, a gym, and an exercise area, as well as a skateboard park.The YMCA and the Boys and Girls Club operate in Westbank supported by the Westside.
There are many beaches along Okanagan Lake
Okanagan Lake
Okanagan Lake is a large, deep lake in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia. The lake is 135 km long, between 4 and 5 km wide, and has a surface area of 351 km². The lake's maximum depth is 232 meters near Grant Island...
and many sports fields.
There are several public launches into the Okanagan Lake
Okanagan Lake
Okanagan Lake is a large, deep lake in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia. The lake is 135 km long, between 4 and 5 km wide, and has a surface area of 351 km². The lake's maximum depth is 232 meters near Grant Island...
most notably that at Westbank Yacht Club http://www.westbankyachtclub.com/
Development and Growth
Like the rest of the Westside, Westbank has seen enormous growth rates in recent years. On the adjacent Westbank First NationWestbank First Nation
The Westbank First Nation is a First Nations government in the Okanagan region of the Canadian province of British Columbia, located with the District of West Kelowna. They are a member of the Okanagan Nation Alliance...
lands there has been substantial commercial development in particular.
Numerous other commercial and residential developments are planned both on and off Reserve.