Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

Penticton council was provided with an update on the master plan for the SS Sicamous area at Tuesday's meeting.

Highlights of the presentation given by consultant Ed Grifone were public consultation to date, the best liked options and efforts to bring all stakeholders on board.

"A part of council's strategic priorities is the waterfront and this is part of that," said the City's communications officer Simone Blais.

By way of background, the city identified in the 2014 budget that continuing the new walkway along past the SS Sicamous might not be the best plan. Ideas were bandied about by the public and SS Sicamous Society and staff proposed to do the master plan.

The work from that is now coming forward.

Four elements very consistent in terms of what people wanted are:

1. some type of celebration of First Nations culture like a cultural centre or facility.
2. A plaza or entryway, so that people can explore more
3. enhance the rock outlook
4. pathways and connections to make it easier for pedestrians to get around

According to Blais that was deemed important from a heritage perspective.

"It was an important area for base camp fishing, so the public felt there was an important heritage element," she said.

There have been presentations so far to council and the Penticton Indian Band chief and council with others slated in the near future.

The public will have the opportunity to provide more feedback at the Farmers' Market on Saturday, Sept. 27.

Additional next steps are refinement based on feedback to one concept, costing and phasing, funding and finalizing and presenting the plan.