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Fintry Queen proposal sinks at Penticton council

The ferry owner was hoping to find a dock and home in Penticton
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The Fintry Queen, an old car ferry converted to resemble a sternwheeler, has been proposed as a tourist attraction for the southern part of Okanagan Lake, with ports of call in Summerland, Penticton and Naramata. (Black Press file photo)

The dream of bringing back the Fintry Queen found no support from Penticton’s council.

Andy Schwab presented his pitch to city council at the March 15 meeting, along with a request for their support on an application for a loan to fund the project.

Coun. Julius Bloomfield offered to bring the motion to the table, in order to allow for discussion of the project, but found no one else to second it.

The motion failed and no further motion was presented, leaving the proposal to end there.

In addition wanting the city’s support, Schwab was interested in having a dock for the ferry at Rotary Park’s Kinsmen pier, where it could moor at night.

The Fintry Queen was in operation for decades ferrying passengers and vehicles across Okanagan Lake, up until 2012.

This is not the first time the idea of turning the Fintry Queen into a tourism draw has been floated to the South Okanagan. Schwab has been working on the Fintry Queen for close to a decade, with previous proposals presented in previous years.

READ MORE: Fintry Queen sternwheeler attraction proposed for Summerland

Recently Schwab also presented to the Summerland council, who voted to provide a letter of support for Schwab’s funding application.

The ferry has the potential to pick people up from stops in Summerland and Penticton and go over to Naramata, Schwab said in his presentation to Summerland.

To report a typo, email: editor@pentictonwesternnews.com.

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Brennan Phillips

About the Author: Brennan Phillips

Brennan was raised in the Okanagan and is thankful every day that he gets to live and work in one of the most beautiful places in Canada.
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