You can now have a beer, legally, at Penticton beaches on both Skaha and Okanagan Lake
Penticton beach goers can now consume alcohol on the beach at both ends of the city.
City council approved a bylaw yesterday, July 24, allowing consumption of alcohol in Skaha Park including the beach.
A similar bylaw allowing liquor consumption on Okanagan Lake beaches was adopted earlier this month following a five-week trial period.
Regulations for Skaha Park will be the same as those for Okanagan Lake beach parks in Penticton, with liquor consumption allowed from noon to 8 p.m. until Oct. 15.
The recommendation to allow alcohol in the whole park was modified after councillor Campbell Watt asked for a revision of the boundaries, citing concerns about mixing alcohol with a portion of the beach that sees a lot of marine traffic.
Liquor will be allowed in the area west of the volleyball courts, but not within 200 metres of the children’s play area.
Councillor Judy Sentes was the lone dissenter pointing to concerns raised by RCMP, Interior Health and Penticton residents opposed to the initiative.
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