Gellatly Bay & Goats Peak.

How Gellatly Bay & Goats Peak took shape

The Gellatly area is named for David Erskine Gellatly, the Tomato King of the Okanagan, who grew and shipped produce here from 1900 to 1917. A post office opened in 1903. The family's cemetery, a century old nut orchard and the old landing are now parks, while Goats Peak above is a planned growth area.

Gellatly Bay curves along Okanagan Lake south of Westbank, on syilx land, with grassland and rock bluffs rising toward Goats Peak. Its name honours David Erskine Gellatly. Born in Scotland, he moved to northern Ontario in 1883 and to the Okanagan in 1893, and from 1900 to 1917 he grew and dealt in vegetables and fruit on a large scale. He became known as the father of the produce business in the Okanagan and its Tomato King. The Gellatly post office opened on June 1, 1903, and he died in Vernon in 1922. The family left a lasting mark on the shore. Gellatly Nut Farm Regional Park keeps a nut orchard more than a century old, with a small beach and easy paths. Gellatly Heritage Regional Park preserves the family cemetery and heritage buildings along paved walkways.

When West Kelowna started its heritage register in 2014, its first listings were Gellatly Landing park and the CNR wharf, and in 2015 the city began assessing the Gellatly Cemetery. The waterfront today is a string of beaches joined by a promenade, from Willow Beach and Rotary Park to a fenced dog beach and the old wharf. Homes range from older properties near the lake to hillside view homes and townhomes. The hills behind have fire history. During the 2009 Glenrosa fire, evacuations reached Gellatly Bay and Goats Peak. Growth is the next chapter. The Goats Peak Comprehensive Development Plan dates from 2017, and the 2023 Official Community Plan names both Goats Peak and Gellatly Village as neighbourhood centres. The draft plan assigned the city's remaining growth outside its centres to Goats Peak and Smith Creek.

1. 1893David Erskine Gellatly moves to the Okanagan from northern Ontario. Source
2. 1903Gellatly post office opens on June 1. Source
3. 2017Goats Peak Comprehensive Development Plan adopted. Source

The homes & their setting

Older homes near the lake, hillside view homes and townhomes, with new neighbourhoods planned for Goats Peak under its 2017 plan.

Building age, tenure, amenities and permitted uses vary by address. Explore the actual property documents with Elaine and the appropriate specialists.

Places with a story

• Gellatly Nut Farm Regional Park — Century old nut orchard on the lakeshore with a small beach and walking paths. History source
• Gellatly Heritage Regional Park — Gellatly family cemetery and heritage buildings on paved paths. History source
• CNR Wharf and Gellatly Landing park — First two entries on West Kelowna's heritage register, in 2014. History source
• Goats Peak Regional Park — Rock bluffs and a steep trail to a lookout over the lake and valley. History source