Shannon Ridge Trail Nears Reopening

Nearly five years after a key pedestrian pathway was closed for townhouse construction, residents may finally see progress toward restoring the connection between Shannon Ridge Drive and Upper Sundance Drive.

The pathway, removed in 2021 during construction of the townhouse development at 1980 Sundance Drive, has remained inaccessible despite earlier commitments from the developer to provide an alternative route once work was complete. Residents have repeatedly raised concerns about safety and accessibility, particularly for students who rely on the trail to reach school buses and nearby schools.

Following inquiries from the Shannon Lake Neighbourhood Association (SLNA), City of West Kelowna Development Manager Bob Dargatz confirmed the delay was tied to unresolved sanitary sewer infrastructure beneath the future trail alignment.

“We have been working with the developer on a sanitary sewer installation issue,” Dargatz explained in an email to the association. “The sanitary sewer line is beneath where the pathway would need to be re-constructed."

Dargatz noted the Development Permit Agreement includes measures to ensure the trail reestablished.

Dargatz went on the say, "the City and developer have now agreed on a sewer solution and are working toward reopening part of the pathway. The intent is to make an interim trail connection available to all residents with the temporary connection is expected to be completed by the first week of June."

Residents and the SLNA say the update is encouraging and reflects the impact of community advocacy on is issues that affect our neighbourhood.