The old siding portion of the KVR trail in Kaleden and adjacent Sickle Point is presenting a challenge - that’s putting in politely - to local and provincial governments attempting to satisfy the public’s desire for an unimpeded recreational trail along the east side of Skaha Lake.
Kaleden residents hoping to hear of a solution to the myriad issues down at the community’s waterfront were disappointed after 100 residents turned out to discuss the KVR at the Kaleden Community Hall on June 6.
It was also disappointing to hear so many misguided opinions, many of which stem from a lack of knowledge regarding the history of both properties in question.
It was equally disappointing to hear overtures to the effect that the owners of the two properties being discussed, somehow did not have the right to keep the public off these properties.
But probably the biggest disappointment coming out of the meeting was the number of audience members who seemed to feel that a realistic solution would be to have community taxpayers take on a huge debt to buy the properties.
Is it realistic to expect that a community the size of Kaleden can afford to front the cost of these recreational lands, even if they were for sale? Both parcels were on the market for several years before they were purchased - the public had their opportunity to purchase then, and elected not to - because of the onerous cost to the local taxpayer. Even then, they were considered unaffordable.
Today’s issues plaguing the Kaleden waterfront are not the community’s fault - nor are they the responsibility of the community to resolve.
That responsibility belongs at regional and provincial levels - and just because they can’t resolve the problems overnight doesn’t mean the local community should be reaching into their pockets for a solution.