Review the First Phase Engagement Findings

The first round of engagement was completed in Fall 2025 to better understand community experiences, concerns, and aspirations related to safety and well-being. Six interconnected themes have been identified, which together, describe the key drivers of community safety and well-being challenges in West Kelowna.

At the Jan. 13, 2026 Regular Council Meeting, Council received the Needs Assessment and Engagement Findings Report for information.

To learn more:

• Read the Report to Council
• Review the Needs Assessment and Engagement Findings – Summary Report and the Needs Assessment and Engagement Findings – Full Report
• Watch the presentation

How to participate

Residents, businesses, and community members are encouraged to participate in the Phase 2: Community Safety & Well-Being Plan survey from Jan. 14 to Feb. 6.

• Review the Needs Assessment and Engagement Findings from the first phase of engagement
  • Summary Report
  • Full Report
• Complete the online questionnaire
• Ask a question

Sign-up for our in-person workshops

The City of West Kelowna is now moving the Plan into its next phase, shifting from research and listening toward shared sensemaking and action. As part of this next step, we’re hosting a series of facilitated, in-person design workshops as part of the Community Safety & Well-Being Plan. These workshops will focus on co-creating practical, prevention-oriented ideas and actions grounded in community experience and system realities, to inform the final Plan.

Community members, organizations, and partners are welcome, you do not need to have participated in earlier engagement to attend.

Each workshop will:

• Focus on a specific theme identified through community engagement and research
• Work with clear problem statements grounded in lived experience and system realities
• Include small-group design activities such as “How might we” prompts and system mapping
• Explore feasibility, roles, and short- and longer-term actions

If you are interested in participating in one or more of the upcoming workshops, please RSVP here.

Workshop 1: Upstream conditions driving crisis, such as housing, basic needs, and mental health

Focuses on housing, homelessness, basic needs, and mental health and substance use, exploring where prevention and early intervention are breaking down and how these conditions contribute to crisis and reliance on emergency response.

• Wednesday, Feb. 11 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Lakeview Heights Community Hall, 860 Anders Road

Workshop 2: Who is most affected, including youth, seniors, families, Indigenous residents, and equity-denied groups

Centres the experiences of children, youth, families, seniors, Indigenous residents, and equity-denied groups, identifying how safety is experienced differently and where earlier, more equitable supports could change outcomes across the life course.

• Thursday, Feb. 12 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Lakeview Heights Community Hall, 860 Anders Road

Workshop 3: Safety in public spaces and neighbourhoods
Examines how safety is felt in neighbourhoods and public spaces, with attention to design, infrastructure, presence, and shared expectations that influence predictability, comfort, and everyday use of community spaces.

• Thursday, Feb. 12 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Lakeview Heights Community Hall, 860 Anders Road

Workshop 4: Systems coordination and moving to action
Brings together system leaders to clarify roles, strengthen coordination and navigation, and translate insights from the earlier workshops into clear, prevention-focused action priorities and implementation principles.

• Friday, Feb. 13 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Lakeview Heights Community Hall, 860 Anders Road

Working Together for a Safer, Stronger West Kelowna

The City of West Kelowna is developing its first Community Safety & Well-Being Plan. This is a collaborative effort to address the root causes of local challenges and build connected, safe, and strong communities.

What is the Community Safety & Well-Being Plan?

Our Community Safety & Well-Being Plan is a forward-thinking, prevention-focused plan that moves beyond traditional enforcement. It emphasizes prevention, fairness, and overall well-being for all residents. The plan will include both short-term actions that build momentum and longer-term approaches that foster lasting change.

Why it matters

Community safety and well-being are foundational to a thriving city. This plan aims to:

• Identify key needs: Gain a clear picture of the most pressing safety and well-being challenges in our community.
• Develop collaborative solutions: Collaborate with local leaders, businesses, partners, and residents to co-create practical and sustainable actions and strategies.
• Reflect community priorities: Ensure that your insights directly shape the direction and actions in the Community Safety & Well-being Plan.

How your input will be used

The experiences, ideas, and priorities shared through this process will help to directly shape the Community Safety & Well-being Plan. Your feedback will be combined with data, research, and partner input to:

• Identify community priorities and key areas for action
• Inform goals and recommendations
• Guide short-term actions to build momentum and longer-term approaches that foster lasting change

After the engagement process, we will publish a short What We Heard snapshot summarizing constructive ideas, themes, and next steps. These insights will also be reflected in the final Community Safety & Well-Being Plan when it is presented to Council and shared publicly.

Project timeline

Your input is important

Your input is crucial to shaping the plan. By sharing your experiences, ideas, and priorities, you help guide practical actions that reflect the community's needs today and in the years to come.

Residents, businesses, and community members are encouraged to participate in the Community Safety & Well-Being Plan survey and idea submission form from Jan. 14 to Feb. 6.

The online survey will take approximately 5 minutes to complete. These engagement tools were designed to be accessible and easy to use, but we recognize that not everyone accesses information in the same way. If you need support or an alternative way to participate, please contact us at communications@westkelownacity.ca or 778-797-1234.