Efforts underway to bring the Fintry Queen back to Okanagan Lake
It’s been 14 years since the Fintry Queen last plied the waters of Okanagan Lake and now the owners are trying to bring it back once again.
Owner Andy Schwab has unveiled a complicated plan to restore the boat and begin a passenger service — the latest of several attempts over the last 15 years.
He hopes to raise $1 million and gain the support of local governments so it can start carrying passengers in the summer of 2024.
The Fintry Queen was originally the MV Lequime that ferried cars across the lake between Kelowna and West Kelowna until the Okanagan Lake Bridge opened in 1958.
It was converted to a replica paddlewheeler and operated in different formats including a floating restaurant and a tour boat.
READ MORE: The Fintry Queen is looking to ferry passengers on Okanagan Lake once again
It has a capacity for 325 people, Schwab, who has been co-owner of the boat for the last 20 years, said in the news release.
First though, he needs to raise $1 million to re-certify the boat and build docks up and down the lake.
“The days when a commercial operator could set up in a waterfront park are gone,” Schwab said in the news release. “It has to work for the community.”
To do that, he said he is offering up to 49% of the company to investors and suggests they could also receive a 30% B.C. tax credit through the B.C. Investment Program.
After five years, his intention would be to convert the investment into a “Community Contribution Corporation” which is a for-profit corporation where 60% of net profits are returned to the community for a social purpose, the news release says.
“It’s a 2-3 year process to put everything in place," the news release says. "We’ll re-certify the ship and bring her around next summer so everyone can see and come aboard, then build the docks for start-up in 2024.”
The press release doesn’t say just what the circle route will be but a map accompanying it shows stops in Penticton, Trout Creek Park, Summerland, Okanagan Mountain Park and Naramata.
This is similar to a plan Schwab outlined in 2020 with hopes to get it operating by 2021.
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