Revamped parking lot for boaters causes consternation in Kaleden

PENTICTON – With boating season well underway on Skaha Lake, revamped parking facilities at Kaleden’s Pioneer Park boat launch aren’t being viewed favourably by some residents.

Kaleden Electoral Area I director Subrina Monteith says she’s fielded comments – good and bad – about the recent work, as well as several complaints.

“People have commented on the lack of signage in the boat trailer parking area. There have been concerns about the ability to exit the boat parking area and make a left turn, but others have said it’s not been a problem,” Monteith says.

Two residents recently wrote to the community’s local newsletter "Skaha Matters” expressing concerns about parking spaces that were too narrow and difficult to back into. Other concerns included the loss of shade trees and wide drainage ditches which “served no purpose.”

Monteith says the parking lot was designed by an engineer, and in going over the details, parking lot stalls were widened compared to original specifications.

“The trees cut down were on the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure right of way and weren’t healthy,” she says, adding the large drainage ditches were installed with beefed up specifications dealing with 200-year floods in mind.

“I’ve seen some comments on social media from both sides. There seem to be plusses and minuses to the work. Some changes may be needed. We’ll see,” Monteith says.

The work is part of a $650,000 project being carried out in four phases. Regional District project coordinator Doug Reeves says the most recent work involved fencing and paving of the Kettle Valley Railway trail and paving and creation of drainage ditches. The next phase, now in the permitting stage, will see the boat launch rebuilt next fall.

Reeves say funding sources include the Ministry of Transportation that contributed $100,000 for the drainage ditches. Much of the remaining funds came from gas tax dollars.

The parking lot was a busy place this past Monday, July 1, with many taking advantage of Canada Day to get out on the lake. Even with a full parking lot, no one seemed to be experiencing problems.

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