The following update is provided for residents who have questions regarding community amenities and recent changes to the Pinegrass Loop Trail system.
Neighbourhood Amenities – Expanding Recreation and Social Opportunities
You may not know that the original McKinley Beach Neighbourhood amenity offering included only the outdoor gym, waterfront, beach and the associated marina but also – over the years –we have continued, on our own initiative and cost, to create amenity opportunities that we believe are an important part of the high-quality, livable and connected neighbourhood we envision and which offers benefits to established, new and future residents.
For example, the extensive trail system within the existing Hillside and Hilltown neighbourhoods was created in response to early residents’ organic use of the many green spaces and natural features that we strategically preserved within the original neighbourhood plan. Using best engineering and planning practices, we constructed the system that residents now use and enjoy so much.
We also created (or are currently constructing) significant additional amenities beyond the scope of any original amenity plans, including the new amenity building, that were not part of the original neighbourhood plan:
- The community gardens
- The pickleball courts
- The tennis court
- The basketball court
- The children’s playground
- An outdoor fire pit area
- An outdoor BBQ area
- The dog park
- The gym
- The yoga room
- The indoor play pool
- The outdoor hot tub
Although lands committed to these extra amenities were originally expected to accommodate additional housing, we recognized the importance of ensuring delivery of a ‘complete community’ and adjusted the development plan to accommodate these recreational and social opportunities. They are now permanent features of the McKinley Beach community.
Community Amenity Building Update
Construction of the community amenity building is now nearing completion and is expected to open in October 2024. It was professionally designed by an architectural firm and the size and configuration was determined in relation to comparable amenity facilities in similar-sized communities. As we complete construction and infrastructure connections, please note that the amenity building will be easily accessed by public sidewalk and roads.
We are also preparing to welcome a new full-time Amenities Manager who will be on site and available to greet residents, answer questions and assist with the information and procedures that will ensure good care and management of the new facility and other neighbourhood amenities.
Offices within the amenity building (located on the 2nd floor) will be the home of the onsite Amenity Manager and associated staff. These will be private offices which we are constructing and maintaining at our own expense. Beyond these administration office areas, residents will have full access to the rest of the building.
Trails Update
The existing trail system within the currently built-out Hillside and Hilltown neighbourhoods was also created in response to residents’ desire to enjoy and explore the natural greenspaces that had been left undeveloped within the original neighbourhood plan. We are fully committed to preserving these trails and residents should not expect them to be closed except for maintenance or other unforeseen situations.
Long Term Planning on Adjacent Lands
The City of Kelowna is expected to review longer-term land use for the undeveloped, adjacent lands in the next few years. With this next stage in the planning and approvals process, McKinley Beach residents can expect additional City-owned public spaces as well as public park(s) with new connections to the existing McKinley Beach neighbourhood trail network, nature corridors and more.
Temporary trails that exist beyond the current boundaries of the 220-acre McKinley Beach community area sit on lands that never formed part of the original planned and zoned Hillside and Hilltown neighbourhoods, and although we have not restricted public access to these adjacent private lands, we have also continued to use portions of the land for cattle farming which is an approved use for the property. Residents should expect that agricultural activity (and other allowable uses) will continue in the interim.
When the time comes to undertake the next phase of the planning work, we look forward to working closely with both the community and the City to create a plan that complements and connects the existing neighbourhood with new development, infrastructure and public park areas – expanding McKinley Beach as the high quality, livable and connected community we have always envisioned.
If you have questions, please send them to Sandra Matlock @ [email protected].
Please share this information with others and check this site for future updates.