Kelowna's Controversial Land Swap Proposal
City of Kelowna staff have proposed a significant land exchange with British Columbia developer Denciti that would trade municipal industrial property for a portion of the threatened Kelowna Springs Golf Course. The deal, negotiated privately between city officials and the developer, aims to preserve part of the popular golf facility while allowing industrial development on the remainder.
The Proposed Exchange Details
Under the proposed agreement, the city would transfer 3.7 hectares of industrial land located at 3199 Hollywood Road North in northeast Kelowna to Denciti. In return, the municipality would receive a 24-hectare portion of the 43-hectare golf course, maintaining it as a nine-hole facility.
The remaining 18.5 hectares owned by Denciti would be converted into an industrial park, pickleball arena, and parkland. This compromise follows years of controversy surrounding the future of the golf course property.
Political History and Community Concerns
The Kelowna Springs Golf Course was sold in 2022, shortly after city council approved the 2040 official community plan that identified the site for potential industrial use. During the October 2022 municipal election campaign, current Mayor Tom Dyas pledged to protect the course, stating he "would fight to save Kelowna Springs Golf Course from being turned into warehouses."
In 2023, council voted to change the future land use designation back to private recreational, while encouraging Denciti to submit a development permit application. The developer responded in May 2025 with a proposal to divide the property, leading to the current land swap negotiations announced on November 14.
Resident Alexandra Martin, who lives on the eastern border of the golf course, is leading growing community opposition to the development plans. "Our fear is that any development in this area is going to completely alter the floodplain," Martin explained, expressing concerns about potential flooding impacts from the proposed changes.
The golf course has operated since 1990, when the property was purchased for $1.2 million according to government records. It has remained an 18-hole course throughout its history, except for the past year when Denciti closed the back nine holes.
Critics have raised questions about the lack of public records regarding staff and developer meetings about the land swap, as well as the absence of publicly available valuation information for the city's industrial property involved in the exchange.
