West Kelowna neighbourhood hoping to get organized

WEST KELOWNA – Like any neighbourhood, the West Kelowna community of Glenrosa has its share of issues, not the least of which has been exacerbated with last night’s rains. The question is who is going to do something about it.

They’re going to find out April 12 when organizers hope to re-energize the Glenrosa Residents Association and perhaps even find more members for the Community Block Watch.

New president Stacie O’Leary says the open house at the Lions Hall at 5:30 p.m. has no real agenda other than to remind residents that organizing is how things get done.

“So many people didn’t even know there was an association,” she says. “Some people have lived here 15, 20 years and didn’t know it existed. The open house is to get the word out first and foremost.”

Organizers for the community of roughly 4,500 homes are hoping to hear from the community about issues they feel are important to the neighbourhood. The area is due for plenty of new development; roads were built to a rural standard leaving no sidewalks around schools. Water in upper Glenrosa is an ongoing issue and there's growing concerns about crime.

Advocating for answers to these issues starts with an organized and active residents association, they say.

Another old issue may also be back on the radar by then, after Lower Glenrosa Road was flooded out and closed overnight.

It’s one of only two roads in or out of Glenrosa and identified as a safety issue after the 2009 Glenrosa fires. Roughly 10,000 residents could use only Lower Glenrosa Road to evacuate because the fire closed the highway exit. It also meant anyone trying to get into the neighbourhood to rescue animals or family members or deal with property issues were barred access.

The City of West Kelowna is still assessing the damage and can’t say how long Lower Glenrosa Road will be closed.

If neighbourhood residents want larger issues like these addressed by City Hall, the Glenrosa Residents Association might be their first step.

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