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Culture plan needs more support: West Kelowna mayor

Council heard an update on the culture plan at its Feb. 28 regular meeting
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Gord Milsom. (Black Press file photo)

West Kelowna’s mayor feels more needs to be done to support staff in progressing the community’s culture development plan.

“We need to do more as a city if we are serious about culture within our community,” said Gord Milsom.

The plan was originally put together in 2012 and adopted by council in 2013. The culture sector was then hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This is our culture restart plan,” said Erin Goodwin, facilities and recreation manager during an update on the plan to council.

Staff outlined four goals and several recommendations for council to consider in moving the plan forward.

Priority items include a cultural round table, festival, event, and program enhancement, as well as marketing, promotion and support.

It’s the support that Milsom felt staff were most in need of.

“You’re probably working on it at the side of your desk because you have other responsibilities,” he added. “In my mind, that’s not right. We’re not doing a full job here. We’re not giving our staff the tools, and proper resources to do the job.”

Coun. Rob Friesen noted the hard work of staff and said he would like to see a to-do list for the plan for next year.

“As we go into 2024 budgeting, I would ask that you come back with a 2024 cultural plan.”

Other recommendations include a public art policy, a cultural summit, a sidewalk cafe and vending policy, and an inventory of cultural spaces and facilities.

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@GaryBarnes109
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Gary Barnes

About the Author: Gary Barnes

Recently joined Kelowna Capital News and WestK News as a multimedia journalist in January 2022. With almost 30 years of experience in news reporting and radio broadcasting...
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