I have invested my time reading through all the documentation and comments from the opposition and feel that I have a good grasp on what the Trio Marine group/Skaha Lake Park proposal covers.
As I continue to review the arguments opposing the development, I have to ask myself if any of you have actually read the reports and taken a good look at what this is going to do for the city?
My husband and our three children spend our summers vacationing in Penticton and more recently have been looking at a move to this growing, vibrant city. We have talked to many young families about how this move would impact us. The consistent messages from these families are that Penticton is a wonderful city to raise kids, offers good schools and a great community.
I have asked the opinion of many young families in Penticton about how they feel about the idea of a water park, with their knowledge of where the location has been designated, and the comments 100 per cent of the time have been “it is about time!”
I don’t think there are any kids or families in Penticton that would say “No, please don’t put a water park in our city.” For this reason I would tend to think that those opposed to this plan are likely those that would never use it. We hope that their voices are not speaking for the masses of those that would.
I know part of the issue is also “I’m not against a water park, just put it somewhere else.” Why would Trio or the city for that matter, do that?
The proposed site is a prime location for the success of the project which will benefit the city, the local businesses and the economic development of the community.
Have the “nay sayers” to this project truly thought about this and what it could potentially do for the economic growth of the city? Of the jobs that will be created, jobs for the youth of the community? Or what it will do for local business in the area (hotels, restaurants and retail establishments)?
In all my research I fully understand that there is a concern about greenspace. Trio’s contract with the city will ensure they will not only rebuild the splash pad but keep the beach a public place and still leave much of the green space separate from the water park.
In my opinion this is exactly the type of development the city should be focused on fostering on its land.
It should also be noted that the city is not giving the land away for free. Trio will not only lease the land from the city (which is zoned exactly for this purpose) but they will also be revenue sharing with the city and if I’m not mistaken, 100 per cent of that revenue is going back to the development of greenspace within Penticton.
Therefore, as a young family who will be the face of Penticton for many years to come, Trio Marine group and the city council of Penticton you have our support!
Jennifer Girard
North Vancouver