A lakeside hotel in Kelowna has locked people out of a public boardwalk and the city could end up taking matters into its own hands.

The feud between the City of Kelowna and the Hotel Eldorado over access to the boardwalk along the hotel’s property has been going on for years, but it’s reached a new height as the hotel continues to defy a court order requiring it allow public access.

“The city shares the community’s concern and frustration regarding the continued closure of the boardwalk. Ensuring public access to this walkway is a priority, and the city has made ongoing and sustained efforts to maintain and restore that access,” the city’s real estate department manager Johannes Saufferer told iNFOnews.ca.

The hotel on Okanagan Lake initially closed its boardwalk in 2021 by locking gates on both ends to keep the public out. Then, the issue went to court with judges ruling that the gate had to be kept open for the public and upholding the public’s right to use the lakeshore.

The hotel closed the gates again a year ago citing safety concerns and a need for repairs, but when the city sent crews to do the repairs the hotel denied them access.

Since last July, the gates have been closed and access restricted, defying the decision from the court.

In April the city said it wasn’t prepared to go and cut the locks itself following advice from its legal team, but Saufferer said that option isn’t off the table at this point.

“That was our position in the past. But obviously, the gate is still not open. And we are hearing loudly from the public that they aren’t happy with the situation. So I’m not saying we’re prepared to do that right now. But on the other hand, I would say it may be an option going forward,” he said.

The hotel also tried to discourage people from accessing the boardwalk in December 2024 by posting signs that said “boardwalk closed due to winter conditions,” despite a lack of snow or ice. People could walk right around them.

Hotel Eldorado is still advertising boardwalk dining on its website as the gates are still keeping the public out.

Saufferer said the city is still trying to work things out with the hotel but he couldn’t say when the issue will be resolved.

“We recognize how important this connection is for residents and are continuing to work toward re-establishing public access,” he said.

The hotel declined to comment.