Susan Ames Sustainability Group

susanameskelowna@gmail.com

Susan Ames is a Kelowna resident with a strong scientific and environmental background. She has a PhD in Resource Management and Environmental Studies (UBC) with a specialty in Climate Change, a MSc in Soil Science (UBC), and a BSc in Biology (Dalhousie University). Susan Ames penned a letter October 2, 2025. "The reason the Kelowna city staff in 2021 and 2022 stated they supported the industrial use of Kelowna Springs Golf Course was because there was a shortage of industrial land. How times have changed. Our economy is in a bit of a slump. According to the Kelowna Long Range Planning Report, June 2025."

Colliers also reported a slump in demand for commercial property. Kelowna's industrial vacancy rate reached an estimated 5% or higher, a big jump from 1.2% in 2023. Ames argues "This would be a great tourist attraction as the Okanagan is a golf mecca and the tourists would find some affordable golf and it would be good for the Kelowna citizens, too. After all, Kelowna Springs Golf Course was designed by renowned Canadian golf course architect Les Furber and the course has garnered accolades over the last 30 years. It has been recognized as the second best Readers’ Choice golf courses in Kelowna by Okanagan Life Magazine, for example. Kelowna is known for this course."

"However, a developer has an application to convert half of the golf course to industrial which seems so unnecessary for this gem especially when the recent reports indicate that the city already has 1290 acres (522 ha) of vacant industrial land which represents 36 to 56 years supply so we don’t need to add more."