The eastern half of Skaha Lake Park will likely be getting a multi-million dollar makeover.
Penticton city council was provided an updated draft plan on Feb. 16, ahead of one final session of public engagement.
The draft plan is estimated to cost around $2,817,000, with another $1 million currently estimated for potentially moving a portion of the parking lot.
The marina will keep its support for motorized boats based on public feedback, with 287 feedback forms turned in and 100 people participating in the last round of engagement.
READ MORE: Letter: Back to saving Skaha Lake Park
Other parts of the plan include a new splash park, an extension of the promenade to the marina building, renovations to the marina building such as HVAC and roofing upgrades, a replacement of the marina docks, new and expanded boathouse and naturalization of riparian areas.
| The City of Penticton's current estimated costs for revitalizing Skaha Lake Park's eastern section. (City of Penticton) |
As part of the marina building renovations, the inclusion of a full restaurant is also being considered for feedback from the public.
Based on feedback from the public, alterations to the draft plan have been taken into account by city staff.
The parking lot relocation would cut away a portion of the lot between the current boathouse and the marina building, and shift it to the south. That would provide more green space in the more publicly accessed area of the park.
City staff haven’t yet calculated a final cost for the parking lot relocation, but have noted it would result in no loss of boat-trailer parking and the loss of 23 car parking spots.
The new boathouse would be expanded and based around the footprint of the existing boathouse, to support the current and future need of the community.
Further, the city is considering whether to demolish the existing boathouse, and expand the concession building directly to the north. The concept for this option was provided by Peter Osborne, and supported by the Protect Penticton Parks Society, and it was included in the last round of feedback.
Funding for the revitalization project through grants and other options is being considered by the city, with some potentially coming through the city borrowing the money.
With the upcoming by-election, approval of a borrowing bylaw could be added onto the ballot in March.
READ MORE: Last week to have your say on Skaha Lake Park east’s future
The final phase of gathering feedback will begin on Feb. 17 and run until March 7, online through the city’s shapeyourcitypenticton.ca site and through paper feedback forms available from City Hall, the Penticton Library and the Nautical Dog Cafe in the Skaha Lake Park marina building.
The draft plan, a summary of key features, a short video presentation will also be available online.
Residents will also have opportunities to ask questions to staff through online workshops on Feb. 26 from noon to 1 p.m. and on March 4 from 6 to 7 p.m. Email getconnected@penticton.ca to register.
The final way to provide feedback, will be for residents to take a self-guided tour of the plan by following a map and signs to points of interest, with feedback being shared using a smart phone and QR code at each sign.
Paper versions of feedback forms can also be submitted, and staff will be at the Skaha Lake Tickleberries concession stand from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 27 to answer questions for the self-guided tour.
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