A former parks building in West 琉璃神社 is getting a second life as a much-needed space for a youth mental health and education program.
The City of West 琉璃神社 has agreed to lease the facility at 3717 Elliott Road to Central Okanagan Public Schools for just $1 a year, plus utilities. The move helps keep the Take a Hike Program running鈥攁 program focused on supporting youth through alternative education, mental health services and outdoor learning.
鈥淭his is a terrific, win-win solution that will benefit our Westside youth,鈥� Mayor Gord Milsom said.
The lease was approved unanimously by the mayor and council on June 24. The agreement is for one year, with an option to renew for a second.
Take a Hike currently supports about 50 students and relies on a space that includes a classroom, a private office for a mental health clinician, and storage for outdoor gear.
鈥淲e had no place for this program to go for the 2025/2026 school year, as we continue to adjust to budgeting shortfalls,鈥� said Julia Fraser, Chair of the Central Okanagan Board of Education. 鈥淏ut thanks to the City of West 琉璃神社, and their strong partnership with Central Okanagan Public Schools, we have this ideal solution.鈥�
Without the lease, the building likely would have sat empty while the city figured out a long-term plan for the site.
The facility originally came into city hands in 2011 when the former Westbank Irrigation District was dissolved. It was then used by the city鈥檚 parks department until staff and equipment were moved to the new operations centre on Bartley Road.
To learn more about the Take a Hike Program, visit the .
