Penticton nails down route for cycling path between Okanagan and Skaha Lakes

Penticton city council has given the green light to a cycling route between Okanagan and Skaha Lakes but now comes the hard part.

The City need to find the funding for the estimated $6 million cost of the project, plus an $2 million in contingency funding. It must also placate the concerns raised by property owners along the route.

Council amended the Official Community Plan to include a map of the recommended location of the route yesterday, Nov. 17, according to a City of Penticton media release.

"With this decision, council has given staff the mandate needed to complete the detailed design of the route,” Mayor John Vassilaki said in the release. “In this next phase, the City can formally consider all of the feedback gathered through the engagement process and the public hearing and work with residents and businesses to mitigate the issues and realize the vision for the route.”

READ MORE: Interest growing in Penticton's lake-to-lake cycling route

The City hopes to work with property owners to address concerns about safety, security, parking, traffic and access impacts, as well as addressing opportunities for amenities, signage and education.

Vassilaki said he sees the bike route as a future investment for the City’s future transportation network, urging those properties along the route with objections to “see the opportunities the route can create.”

A detailed design is in the works for completion in the new year, while staff move forward with grant applications to the provincial and federal governments to help fund the route.

"Once the detailed design is complete, council will have a further opportunity to consider the cost and plan for this route, how it can be funded and how to proceed,” the mayor said.

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