Westside Communities in Bloom

Winner of the Communities in Bloom Five Bloom award!

The diversity of the economy, exceptional climate, picturesque Okanagan Lake, abundant parks and trails, collectively make the Westside one of the most popular locations to move to or visit in the province. 

The Westside Communities in Bloom Committee was initially formed in 2005 as a joint initiative of the Regional District of Central Okanagan, Westbank First Nation, and Westbank and District Chamber of Commerce.  This dedicated group of community volunteers have contributed countless hours to the participation in the 2005 and the 2006 Provincial edition of the Communities in Bloom program.   

Westside Goes NATIONAL For 2008!

The Westside is very proud to have been part of the Communities in Bloom program since 2005 and after winning the coveted 5 BLOOM AWARD, in the Provincial competition two years in a row.  In 2007 and again in 2008 the area has accepted the challenge to compete at the NATIONAL level!  It will be judged in late July in the national competition against Langford, BC; Grand Prairie, Alberta; Lloydminster, Alberta/Saskatchewan; Brandon, Manitoba and Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, Quebec in the 20,001 to 50,000 population category. 

Link to General 2008 Local Communities in Bloom Information and Link to Special 2008 Program Workshops.

Trained judges will evaluate the Westside entry in eight program criteria:  Environmental Awareness, Landscaped Areas, Tree/Urban Forest Management, Turf and Groundcovers, Natural and Cultural Heritage Conservation, Tidiness, Floral Displays and Community Involvement.  At the national awards ceremony in Moncton, New Brunswick, the Westside entry was awarded another Five Blooms honour, with specific reference to the partnership involving the Westbank First Nation.  In 2007, the Prince Edward Island capital city of Charlottetown won the top award in our population category.  View news release

What's It All About?

Communities in Bloom is a Canadian organization committed to fostering civic pride, environmental responsibility, and community beautification through the challenge of national competition. 

Municipalities begin by competing at a Provincial level until they have achieved enough points to receive a rating of four "blooms" (on a rating scale from one to five blooms). This allows them to move into the National level of competition.  Link to the official Communities in Bloom website

How Can You Get Involved?

The Westside Communities in Bloom Committee encourages residents and businesses to GET INVOLVED in the 2008 National Communities in Bloom competition by beautifying their spaces or volunteering to assist others with a community space.

Once again, the Westside Communities in Bloom Committee will have local challenges to identify the a 'Most Beautiful Business Frontage' category, along with the 'Most Beautiful Yard', 'Most Beautiful Street' and 'Most Beautiful Strata' categories.  Please consider SIGNING UP or Nominating a neighbour for 2008...the registration is free!
 

For more information on how you can get involved in existing Communities in Bloom initiatives or to let us know what project you are doing so that it can be showcased in our Communities in Bloom program, please contact the Regional District of Central Okanagan Westside Parks and Recreation office at 469-6160 or email recreation@cord.bc.ca.

Link to Volunteer Form / Link to Challenge Nomination Form

Sponsor a Communities in Bloom Banner
Show your pride and commitment to the Westside by sponsoring a Communities in Bloom banner.  Your $250 sponsorship will enable the local Communities in Bloom Committee to install a banner along Highway 97 between the Okanagan Lake Bridge and the Westbank Town Centre.  Your sponsorship will be recognized by name in all Communities in Bloom print material under the heading of Bronze Bloom Sponsor.  Print material includes but is not limited to:  newspaper ads, posters, the Regional District website, Westside Leisure Guide (Fall issue - time sensitive).  Sponsors will also be invited to the Celebration event to be held during the fall.

2006 Competition Results

For 2006, the Westside Communities In Bloom committee expanded the local program providing additional opportunities for individual and community involvement.  There were three categories for registration:  Most Beautiful Street, Most Beautiful Yard and Most Beautiful Strata.  The local committee judged entries in the three categories and determined the following winners:

The Most Beautiful Yard winner received gift certificates to Bylands Garden Centre and Dogwood Nurseries.  A special Westside Parks Play Day was held for residents of Golden View Drive and Sun Village residents received a Strata Party!