New West Kelowna gated community will let you get your hands dirty after you downsize

WEST KELOWNA – After spending years building gated communities and golf course developments in the Okanagan, Barry Johnson has joined with his son, Kevin, to offer a new concept for “young boomers” overlooking Okanagan Lake.

Johnson came out of retirement after working on the Predator Ridge golf resort and has just launched Ariva, which will provide 200 housing units on 12.5 acres on the north side of Old Ferry Wharf Road with a 125-year lease from Westbank First Nations, according to a news release from Ariva.

The project will include a two-acre vegetable farm, overseen by Grown Here Farms, where residents can join in or learn to garden.

There will also be a café bistro, wine bar, lounge, fitness centre, yoga studio, gym and a “Lifestyle Concierge” to arrange events and tours.

A presentation centre has been set up at 529 Bernard Ave. to market the units that range from 1,350 to 2,895 square feet and prices that go from $499,000 to more than $1 million.

Construction is expected to start next year and take four years to finish.

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