Skip to content

Letter: Fair settlement needed for channel lands

For me a fair settlement would be a quid-pro-quo arrangement
17436779_web1_PWN-T-Letters-660
Penticton Western News letters to the editor.

I was saddened to read the article that seemed to suggest that floating our channel might be in jeopardy because the city’s new licensing fees have jumped 200-plus per cent.

While I understand the need to monitor the uses of park land for business enterprises, what is happening here is very short sighted. Surely the city and the Penticton Indian Band could create a partnership that would benefit both parties. As it stands, I see it benefitting only the city.

Two years ago on a flight to Victoria, I read an article in the airline’s magazine that cited 10 things one needs to experience in Canada—third on the list was to float the Okanagan River Channel in Penticton. I believe it is a huge draw for the city and one, judging by my children who have come here annually to do the channel with my grandchildren long before I moved here, a draw that continues to bring people back to the city and continues thereby to bring money to many businesses in our city.

Mr. Campol is no doubt right on the mark when he states that 70 per cent of the people use their own flotation devices and launch themselves off the steps in the park where Coyote Cruises has their stand.

The people in Penticton are using their facilities without cost. The area of the park leased to Coyote Cruises is a small sliver of park that is used only for a couple of months in the summer, nor do I see it maintained by the park’s board in the same manner as the surrounding park along the river. It is left relatively wild. I also support Mr. Campol’s argument that the exit points are on Penticton Indian Band land and the band has never asked the free-floating public for a fee to use their land as they exit and park their vehicles nearby.

For me a fair settlement would be a quid-pro-quo arrangement. Ask Coyote Cruises to maintain the 0.16 acres of park land so that it is kept at the same standard as the remaining park in the area and in return allow them to operate their business (and yes, expand it to include a gift shop and coffee and ice cream bar which would enhance the experience for tourists) including the public’s use of the entrance and exit points free of charge.

Karin Breuer

Penticton