Coyote Cruises seeks 20-year lease in Riverside Park

PENTICTON – A business operated by Penticton Indian Band’s K’ul Group is seeking a long-term lease with the City for a chunk of Riverside Park.

Coyote Cruises will ask city council for a 20-year lease on a portion of Riverside Park at council's regular meeting on Tuesday, May 7, so it can secure financing for some planned improvements.

The company, which operates a river channel tube rental and transportation business, currently operates There by agreement but are looking at improving the existing infrastructure and buildings by adding a concession and shaded seating area, and integrating the band’s culture into discoveries along the channel, according to a City of Penticton media release. The proposed 20-year lease would include 0.16 ha within Riverside Park.

Director of development services Anthony Haddad says the City is following the public process outlined in the Park Land Protection and Use policy to review the request, and the next step is to bring it to council’s attention.

“If council supports moving the request forward in the process, this next step provides an opportunity for Coyote Cruises to test their concept with the community,” Haddad says in the release. “Once they have a final proposal, approval from the Penticton electorate will also be required before the lease can be granted.”

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