Bold renovation plans are stirring around the SS Sicamous.
At the regular council meeting on April 7, Ed Grifone from CTQ Consultants presented their vision to transform the park area surrounding the SS Sicamous after a year-long process to develop a master plan.
“I took very seriously the presentation,” said Coun. Judy Sentes. “There have been different avenues and strategies taken, and nothing’s ever materialized. Tonight’s presentation was exciting. The engagement of the community has been excellent, and I too am excited to see this go for ward.”
Over the past few months, a range of features were shown to the community through four concepts. The architect said the most favoured concept, judging from the open house, includes a large plaza area along the corner of Lakeshore Drive West and Riverside Drive, which will form an entry to the park space.
“All of the elements hang together like a nice piece of clothing,” Grifone said.
The plan also includes a First Nations Pavilion; a new roundabout at Churchill Avenue; an extended parking lot; enhanced rose garden; and a limited day moorage.
“The rose garden, although repositioned, (will be) enhanced to still allow it to be a contemplative space, aesthetically pleasing and have the ability to relate to the remainder of the park.”
Following the delegation, council voted unanimously to endorsed the plan. The first reading to incorporate the master plan into the OCP was passed, and a public hearing will be held at the April 20 meeting. And once the ground has been broken, city staff will develop an economic investment zone program for the area.
Coun. Helena Konanz asked why the city has to wait until the ground is broken.
“Why don’t we just move forward with the economic investment zones for that area, why do we have to wait for the SS Sicamous master plan to pass?”
Gifone said that through consultation, there was extra consideration given to the restoration of the water way – especially going into dam, as well how the First Nations land would fit in.
Rod King, chair of the Waterfront Enhancement Subcommittee – who joined Grifone during the presentation, said the rigorous consultation plan hammered out the kinks.
“There were some reservations and concerns, but as we worked through those multiple meetings, we overcame those, and I felt it was a very successful process,” he said.
Council will spend around $150,000 this year on the detailed design, and for phase 2 in 2016 – which includes a rock outlook and walkway construction, at an estimated cost of $1,185,650.
Grifone said that wiggle room has been accounted for in the figures.
Coun. Andre Martin asked how cycling infrastructure would fit in. Grifone said that specific features still have yet to be decided, but the connecting walkways will incorporate both cyclists and pedestrians.
The next step for council, Grifone said, requires several avenues: pursuing the many grants available; seek provincial approval; consult affected user groups; design and engineer the plan, then incorporate it into the OCP; and make the relevant zoning changes.
“I believe that this is an opportunity that council may want to move on in a pretty bold way because it can provide some great economic and tourism value to Penticton.”