Councillor joins colleague’s fight to save city golf courses

Environmental activist and city councillor Charlie Hodge thought it was a lost cause to argue against turning Kelowna Springs Golf Club into industrial land in the 2040 official community plan.

“I know it sounds silly but wetland protection is critical,” Hodge said. Then in stepped Coun. Luke Stack. After listening to other councillors decry the lack of industrial land in the Okanagan and across B.C., Stack asked for council’s indulgence “to present a different perspective.”

Robert Miles, the city’s longrange policy planning manager, had pointed to one of the 10 pillars of the official community plan: “Strengthen Kelowna as the region’s economic hub.”

But Stack pointed out two other pillars: take action on climate impact and protect and restore our environment.

Kelowna Springs, designed by renowned Canadian golf course architect Les Furber in 1990, is “one of the best semi-private golf courses in Canada” according to Golf for Women magazine.

During the past 30 years, Central Park golf course was replaced by Walmart and Home Depot; Fairview in the Mission was replaced by a school and housing; Shadow Ridge was bought by the city for expansion of Kelowna airport; Michaelbrook Ranch was designated as future park in the new OCP; leaving Mission Creek and Kelowna Springs.

“The collective loss of all of these green spaces is taking a toll on our citizens. Many golfers are lamenting the loss of these private but vital green spaces throughout the city. One by one, they are being converted into other uses. Cumulatively, the loss is significant and is now to the point that I believe it is negatively affecting the quality of life of our citizens,” said Stack.

The Kelowna Springs’ name comes from a natural spring that feeds golf course ponds, adjacent to a very large wetland called Simpson’s Pond which “supports a variety of wildlife that requires us to protect and maintain,” he added.

By a narrow 4-3 vote, council accepted his resolution to direct planning staff to prepare an OCP amendment to change the future designation of Kelowna Springs to recreational. A public hearing would then be held. Staff should also research an alternate solutions to the shortfall in future industrial land, said Stack, such as the former Pier Mac gravel pit which became an industrial park.

Hodge described Simpson’s Pond as an absolute gem. “I know it well. It is a home for a lot of animals and a lot of those animals happen to be species-at-risk. We are rapidly running out of places for them all to live. Let’s protect what we have. I think it’s a major step forward.”