Looking for sun at the beach? Try Penticton this weekend

PENTICTON – With all the media attention on the Okanagan Valley’s flooding issues this week, many residents are probably wondering if there is anywhere to go to enjoy this weekend’s anticipated summer-like temperatures.

Well, wonder no more. Skaha Lake and its beaches have not been as badly affected by high water as Okanagan Lake and its beaches.

Chief administrative officer Peter Weeber says the city remains open for business, and although there is very little beach left on Okanagan Lake at present, the Skaha Lake beaches are holding up very well.

“Skaha Park is like a golf course right now, the beach is manicured and it’s beautiful right now,” Weeber says.

He encourages residents and visitors alike to visit the city, check out the flood mitigation efforts along Lakeshore Drive, visit the Saturday markets and spend the afternoon at Skaha Beach.

“We have work zones, and are closing certain areas as work goes on in them, but we are open for business. Even the Okanagan lakeshore is open, there’s not a lot of beach but there’s still lots of grass,” he says.

Environment Canada is forecasting lots of sun and temperatures in the upper 20s throughout the weekend.

City officials are discouraging recreation activities in the Okanagan River channel this weekend, however, as water continues to flow fast and high.


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Steve Arstad

Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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