Castanet

Since moving to Westbank one of my favorite sights over the years was the terrific Christmas display atop the firehall on Old Okanagan Highway. So far, no signs of the lights or decorations going up, I hope it's only a delay and we haven't lost another tradition.

I was thinking it will go up this weekend.

I think perhaps you missed the article. Mayor Findlater in his wisdom has decided to move that display I believe over to the City Hall area of Mt. Boucherie (I think I saw Cameron Road mentioned). Seems to me it was in Event or Westside weekly a week or so ago.

If this is indeed the case, I can only say that Mayor Findlater is determined to destroy all that Westbank area represents to area residents and businesses. Westbank....put a fork in it!
Thanks Mayor Findlater.

I am not even Westbank area resident, but enjoyed the display.

Did I misread this?

West Kelowna twinkles on Sunday
by Wayne Moore - Story: 83773
Nov 27, 2012 / 5:46 am

The annual Winterfest, Christmas Light-Up and West Kelowna birthday celebrations are being held together for the first time at the Mount Boucherie Community Centre on Sunday, December 2.
Photo: Contributed

All events are free, although donations of non-perishable food items for the Westside Community Foodbank would be greatly appreciated.

Winterfest celebrations have been held at the Mt. Boucherie Community Centre for more than a decade, however, Christmas Light-Up festivities had been held at Fire Hall No. 31 on Old Okanagan Highway until now.

The Light-Up is moving to the Mt. Boucherie Community Centre to provide one convenient and central location with plenty of parking for this seasonal celebration.

Winterfest will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and offer a free lunch with hot dogs from Save On Foods, and Tim Hortons coffee, hot chocolate and Timbits, while supplies last.

The event will also feature free public skating from 10 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Crafts, cookie and face painting stations will be open from 10 to 3 and a kid’s hockey skills competition will run from 2 to 4:30.

Parents must call Westside Minor Hockey at 250-769-1543 to pre-register for the skills competition.

Santa will make a special guest appearance during Winterfest.

A full event schedule can be downloaded and printed by clicking here.

You may also visit the Recreation and Culture Department at 2760 Cameron Road to pick up a schedule or call 778-797-8800 for more information.

The Christmas Light-Up will be held from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Holiday lights will be turned on at dusk in the courtyard in front of Royal LePage Place arena.

Those attending will be invited to sing Christmas carols and have cupcakes in celebration of the District of West Kelowna’s fifth birthday.

I did miss it - what a shame if the firehall isn't decorated.

I think that it is too bad as this was a site visible to all in the area. Now it is tucked back off the main area of traffic and might prevent lower income and seniors from getting over there to see it.

watchkat wrote:I think that it is too bad as this was a site visible to all in the area. Now it is tucked back off the main area of traffic and might prevent lower income and seniors from getting over there to see it.

I agree. It's now off the beaten path. What a shame.

watchkat wrote:I think that it is too bad as this was a site visible to all in the area. Now it is tucked back off the main area of traffic and might prevent lower income and seniors from getting over there to see it.

I'm very saddened to lose this little bit of Westbank culture.

Not much of a display if no one really sees it.

at least at the firehall you can see it on a busier street.

So DUMB....

I agree. What a stupid location. I always enjoy the firehall decorations.

Why can't common sense prevail?? It was a spectacular Christmas showcase for the Westbank community. There was and is significant drive-by traffic in the neighborhood. It obviously was extremely popular. The area needs an attraction to take away from the semi-ghost town look. We all love firemen and all things related to firehalls considering our past successes fighting forest fires. In retrospect, the only time I frequent the Mt Boucherie area is to pay my property taxes and I have to plug in the Garmin every year or I get lost finding in that out of the way area.

Perhaps more opinions should be made known to those that make these thoughtless decisions? I can't vote, but think those against this should make it known before the weekend.

Surely there are other sponsors for a display by City Hall without taking away from the traditions of old Westbank city centre .

I would think that the firefighters would put some lights up on the old hall anyways.

One would hope so ... they bought brand new lights for the whole building 3 years ago.

watchkat wrote:I think that it is too bad as this was a site visible to all in the area. Now it is tucked back off the main area of traffic and might prevent lower income and seniors from getting over there to see it.

Something I'm missing? Are lower income & seniors not allowed to go to the hall to see it? Something about the fire station that that's the only place they can go?
As the article stated, there's parking and areas to walking around ... to me it always seemed a bit sketchy that people would stop in front of the firehall and get out and walk around ... I wonder what the firefighters thought of their emergency station being used to attract lookie-loos.

Not to mention now they have a whole party planned out for everyone to attend and the big display to cap off the day ... something that would satisfy the other thread saying "there's nothing to do in West Kelowna".