I am pleased to see how the convention centre committee strives to recruit business for its location. The amount of events hosted throughout the year proves to me they are trying to generate money for the City of Penticton; ultimately providing jobs for some of its inhabitants. This is what this city needs: Jobs.
When tourists are satisfied with what a place has to offer, they return and bring friends and money. All prosper and the city grows through various forms of employment and generated revenues.
When I read about what this city is planning to do with its public beach at Okanagan Lake, I am disgusted. If the options proposed are the best the planning department can come up with, I suggest we all look at the somewhat empty beaches of Skaha Lake. The limited access to those beaches, especially the ones found along Skaha Lake Road, leaves them barren most of the time. It certainly isn’t because they are inferior, it’s because the motoring public can’t cruise by the beach, or park along side it. If the city takes away that ability and upsets what is the most positive aspect of Lakeshore Drive, it will only be a matter of time before it ends up like the south side of town. If that should happen, tourists will travel elsewhere and bring their money with them.
I am all for revitalizing the “strip”, but as a taxpayer in this city, I believe there is a better alternative in improving the greatest highlight this city has to offer.
Perhaps instead of shaving the roadway to gain land, why not expand the beach outward towards the lake? Bringing in fill instead of removing it would afford options that everyone would benefit from. If extra money is required for a more beneficial project, then I suggest waiting until financially possible. The worst blunder is not doing it right the first time.
Mirko Zotta
Vancouver