No last minute change of heart for Penticton council

PENTICTON – Penticton city council continues to stand firm in its decision not to revisit the Skaha waterpark issue and plans to allow the development to move forward.

Council met before the public at noon today, July 29, to deliver the verdict on their decision whether or not to revisit the issue following a strong negative reaction apparent in a rally in front of city hall on July 20.

“After the rally, I did promise to take a day and let the dust settle, and poll each councillor to see if there was a change of heart,” Mayor Andrew Jakubeit told the gallery.

Today marked the last day council would have to reconsider the issue and have it placed back on the agenda.

Council agreed to move forward with project 6-1 in favour, with only Coun. Campbell Watt wishing to revisit the matter.

Watt said he had a few reasons for voting to reconsider, some of which he could not elaborate on. He said he wanted more time to consider the issue after listening to the community, as well as wanting to further investigate the options put forward.

The mayor said no agreements have been signed between the city and Trio Marine Group, the developers involved in the waterpark proposal, adding it was within council’s mandate to make the decision without going to referendum. He said several conditions have to be met by the developers during the development’s waterpark phase in order for the plan to continue moving forward.

Mayor Jakubeit said he is aware of a petition of between 1,500 and 2,000 signatures of those opposed to the waterpark, in addition to a recent petition of about 600 names from those in favour. He admitted the decision was a difficult one for council, understanding there was a lot of angst in the community over the issue.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad at sarstad@infonews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.