Dragon Boat Festival
The area in Skaha Lake Park that the Dragon Boat racers will use and enjoy this year, is there, thanks to the thousands of supporters of Save Skaha Park Society (SaveSkahaPark.ca) and Penticton Citizens First (email pentictoncares@gmail.com) who rallied, protested and started lawsuits to keep it free from development.
Next year the beach area could be very different.
Trio Marine has full control over all the concessions along that end of Skaha Beach, ruling local businesses for 29 years. How likely is it that the proceeds from the beverage garden will continue to go to the Survivorship, South Okanagan Dragon Boat team when it is run for private profit?
Will the rents increase, as done at the marina, and will the rules change when Trio takes over and reconfigures the boat house/concession stand?
Trio has the exclusive option to place an in-the-water, play platform in this area and plans on expanding the marina. Will that impact the launch area of the Dragon Boat racers?
Skaha Park, as it is, works wonderfully for the hundreds who attend the Dragon Boat races, Ultraswim, the sandcastle contest and much more.
Okanagan Lake Park was saved from development. That park works well for temporary local businesses and the hundreds who attend Peachfest, ITU, etc.
So why does Trio get the gravy at Skaha Lake Park?
Lynn Crassweller
Penticton