City swaps land with developer to preserve Kelowna Springs Golf Course

The City of Kelowna has given the developer that bought Kelowna Springs Golf Course some land in exchange for the course.

The city reached an agreement with developer Denciti Development Corp. to give the developer 9.1 acres of industrial land at 3199 Hollywood Road North in exchange for the 60 acre Kelowna Springs Golf Course property at 480 Penno Road, according to a press release from the city issued today, Nov. 14.

Denciti is going to keep 46 acres of land right next to the course and the developer can apply to use the land for industrial development.

“This agreement secures Kelowna Springs Golf Course’s future as a distinctive nine-hole course with full-length holes, while preserving natural areas for the community,” the city’s director of partnerships Derek Edstrom said in the release.  ”Kelowna Springs represents more than just a golf course—it’s a community asset.”

This agreement comes after years of controversy around Denciti’s purchase of Kelowna Springs with plans to develop it.

There are still some hurdles to clear in order for the deal to go through. City council needs to approve the industrial rezoning of Denciti’s remaining 46 acres next to the golf course.

The city estimates that Denciti’s development would bring in $4 million in development charges and a million dollars a year in tax revenue.

Denciti has agreed to build an indoor pickleball facility as part of the development plan.

People in the community can learn more at a public information session at the Kelowna Springs Golf Course Clubhouse from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 20.

If everything goes according to plan the city will take over the golf course lands on March 30, 2026 and Denciti will take over the property on Hollywood Road on Jan. 1, 2028.