PENTICTON – Pop music beat out classic rock when city council decided to rename portions of two downtown streets to Backstreet Boulevard.

Parts of Robinson Street and Westminster Avenue East were given the new name at Monday's council meeting. Penticton Herald editor James Miller, speaking for himself at an earlier meeting, said the name should honour a famous resident, such as Loverboy lead singer John Mike Reno who attended a local high school.

The name was chosen by several businesses owners on Robinson Street, including Burger 55's owner, to be more catchy with tourists and make the establishments there easier to find. The street is a winding road running roughly parallel to Main Street and it connects Front Street to Nanamio Avenue.

Miller was not the only one who raised issue with the name. Coun. John Vassilaki had said he doesn't believe the new name will make businesses easier to locate. He said if businesses wanted more exposure they could advertise more often.

Resident Jill Beaven said at an earlier council meeting she didn't like the idea of fixing what ain't broke. She also disapproved of the new name itself saying backstreet has negative connotations.

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