Norkam Clinic gets local support for loading zone

KAMLOOPS – Council agreed to give a patient loading zone outside of the North Shore’s Norkam Clinic another look and so far residents are supporting the request.

In order to create the loading zone the bus stop which currently sits in front of the clinic will have to be moved down the street. Earlier in the fall, when the matter was first brought to council by clinic manager Patti Aldrich, local business owners were not in favour as they believed it would eliminate their street parking.

City staff prepared a report on the feasibility of moving the existing stop and presented it to council roughly a month later, Oct. 20, with the recommendation of not moving the bus stop. Councillors sided with staff and decided to instead improve signage and markings at the existing location.

The resolution has coming back to the table after Coun. Marg Spina claimed doctors from the clinic were not given an opportunity to speak and lobbied her fellow council members to reconsider their previous votes.

It was decided the matter would be reopened and residents would be asked to weigh in through public submissions. Residents within 100 meters of the clinic received a mailout asking for feedback on the request and a total of 14 pieces of correspondence were submitted, with only two of those objecting to the loading zone.

The issue of a patient loading zone at the Norkam Clinic comes before council again today, Dec. 1. Anyone else, whether in support of or against the resolution, will be allowed to address council at that time.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Dana Reynolds at dreynolds@infonews.ca or call 250-819-6089. To contact an editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.