Dredging Green Bay in West Kelowna is expected to cost property owners approximately $950,000.

The work, at the mouth of the bay, in Okanagan Lake is needed to improve the navigable channel for safe boating. The channel has become too shallow during low water levels and shoulder boating seasons, affecting safe access to the neighbourhood. 

This is Phase 2 of the project and dredging is scheduled to start in early March and finish by late April 2025. It involves removing up to 2,850 cubic meters of sandy and organic material which will be trucked to a site for drying before disposal. 

Property owners have asked the City of West Kelowna to use a Local Area Service (LAS) process to pay for the work. An LAS is a neighbourhood improvement paid for by the owners of the benefiting properties. Under the Community Charter, the petition must have the backing of more than 50 per cent of affected property owners and property values. The process is expected to conclude in January, with a report to council to follow. The cost will be split between 39 properties, including one parcel owned by the city.

The $950,000 will be repaid through a local area parcel tax over 20 years.