West Kelowna has its challenges but the community is meeting them head on.

That was the message from Mayor Gord Milsom during a 害羞草研究所淪tate of the City Address害羞草研究所� during a Greater Westside Board of Trade luncheon on May 8.

害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e growing rapidly, we害羞草研究所檙e extremely busy, but we害羞草研究所檙e getting a lot done,害羞草研究所� Milsom told reporters after his speech.

The city害羞草研究所檚 population is expected to grow to more than, but Milsom said staff are planning for 67,000.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 an aggressive number,害羞草研究所� the mayor admitted. 害羞草研究所淏ut it害羞草研究所檚 better to plan for a higher potential number of residents than a lower number.害羞草研究所�

Along with that growth comes demands on housing, road networks, protective and mental health services, and infrastructure.

Milsom said he wants the provincial government to step up in some of those areas.

害羞草研究所淲e need support from BC Housing so we can serve the needs of our lower-income seniors, families, and the homeless. We need more investment in mental health services on the Westside.害羞草研究所�

Milsom added that the province needs to adhere to its responsibility to provide RCMP officers, pointing out that the city has added 17 members to the province害羞草研究所檚 one over the last several years.

The mayor also expressed frustration over the slow process of obtaining a redundant power supply for his community.

害羞草研究所淭hey (BC Hydro) were supposed to confirm a leading alternative last year. It害羞草研究所檚 unbelievable how slow they are. When the time is right I will go to Victoria and meet with the minister.害羞草研究所�

Only one hydro line services much of West Kelowna, Peachland and Summerland. It has been threatened twice by wildfires.

Another project that is taking some time is the removal of the couplet through Westbank Centre and moving Highway 97 to Dobbin Road.

害羞草研究所淲e continue to meet with the Ministry of Transportation, but we害羞草研究所檙e a long way from activity there,害羞草研究所� Milsom noted.

The mayor said the city is working with the province to structure the road network to coincide with the changes that will come to the couplet.

Milsom pointed to a list of accomplishments showing West Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 prosperity including the up-and-running Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant, the recently completed Boucherie multi-use pathway, and the establishment of the new economic development corporation.

Staff and council are in the process of moving into the new city hall, and projects underway include the Fire Hall #32 replacement, a purpose-built operations yard, and a supportive/transitional housing facility.

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