Tiki Bar at Okanagan Lake Resort shuttered for COVID-19 violations

Troubled times for Okanagan Lake Resort continue with the forced closure of its Tiki Bar.

The shut down was ordered by Interior Health on Sept. 10 and a $345 ticket was issued on Sept. 14.

“The order was issued to reduce COVID-19 transmission,” Interior Health said in an email to iNFOnews.ca.

“Interior Health attempts to work with all establishments and understands the challenges for businesses as they work to adhere to (Provincial Health Officer) orders," the written statement continued. "However, if they are unable to comply, they will be closed for the safety of the public. The order notes the premises do not have adequate measures in place to protect the public from contracting COVID-19.”

READ MORE: Lake Okanagan Resort: Rapid decay and glory days

No further details were provided.

Okanagan Lake Resort has been the subject of many complaints over the last couple of years from time share owners and residents who live there who claim it is not properly maintained and is becoming run down.

Ryan Hargreaves is cited in the order to close.

He and two other Alberta man took over the food services at the resort in February, calling it the Okanagan Lake Beach Club and promoted the Tiki Bar as the only licenced waterfront bar on Okanagan Lake.

READ MORE: Plans afoot to revitalize 'the only licensed bar on the beach of Okanagan Lake

“Unfortunately Interior Health has shut down our tiki bar for the season,” Hargreaves posted on his Facebook page on Sept. 11. “We will be doing shuttles from the beach to our beautiful bistro with amazing food, drinks and views! Pools are still open and so are pickle ball courts and golf course… Weddings and special events are still a go!!”

Interior Health also shut down the Spruce Hill Resort and Spa at 108 Mile Ranch, just north of 100 Mile House, in July. Violations included lack of COVID protocols at its spa, pool, hot tubs, Lumberjack Salon, Emily Carr Café along with its Wok and Grill.


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Rob Munro

Rob Munro has a long history in journalism after starting an underground newspaper in Whitehorse called the Yukon Howl in 1980. He spent five years at the 100 Mile Free Press, starting in the darkroom, moving on to sports and news reporting before becoming the advertising manager. He came to Kelowna in 1989 as a reporter for the Kelowna Daily Courier, and spent the 1990s mostly covering city hall. For most of the past 20 years he worked full time for the union representing newspaper workers throughout B.C. He’s returned to his true love of being a reporter with a special focus on civic politics