Canals get second look

Photo: Contributed - Artist rendering

Original design provided during 2014 municipal election

UPDATE: We hope you're all enjoying this fine April 1. Happy April Fools Day, everyone.

Maybe a series of canals linking several streets in downtown Kelowna isn't so far-fetched after all.

The idea was first hatched by TaxPayers First during the 2014 municipal election. It was immediately dismissed as unachievable and a bad idea.

However, Castanet News has learned talks have been going on since early in the new year between the city's finance and planning departments, geotechnical engineers and officials from San Antonio, Texas.

San Antonio is home to the famous River Walk, the inspiration for the original Kelowna idea.

"I dismissed the idea at first, but the more I thought about it, the more I wondered if it could be feasible," said Mayor Colin Basran.

"We are, first and foremost, a tourist destination – and anything we can provide that makes our city unique and draws visitors is something worth investigating."

Basran said he was approached by a geotechnical engineer at a Christmas function who told him the idea was both doable and affordable.

While those plans are being kept closely under wraps, Castanet has learned water would be diverted from Okanagan Lake through an intricate pipe network under City Park, Stuart Park, the Rose's Pub parking lot and Waterfront Park.

City officials and planning staff travelled to San Antonio to get a first-hand look at the River Walk, to learn how the system was built and how it could work in a city like Kelowna.

San Antonio officials also visited Kelowna recently to look at the city's downtown set-up and review preliminary plans to construct and maintain a canal system.

"Kelowna is an ideal city for something like this," said a San Antonio official who asked not to be identified because plans have not yet been made public.

"You have a large, pristine lake that would provide clear, clean water to a canal system."

According to engineers, it could take up to 10 years to construct the network.

Plans call for north-south canals on Water and Ellis streets from Clement to Leon Avenues and on Abbott Street from Bernard to Leon.

East-west connections would be along Leon, Lawrence, Doyle, Cawston and Clement avenues.

A canal would also meander through City Park as part of the new park redesign.

Engineering plans indicate the city would need to dig about 20 feet down and reinforce the sidewalls and the bottom to prevent erosion.

Further, only one side of any street would be canal, allowing continued vehicle traffic downtown.

Arched pedestrian bridges at intersections would allow for easy movement of foot traffic.

A cost estimate has not yet been prepared. However, engineers believe the system can be completed for less than $50 million.

The city believes grants through Tourism BC, provincial and federal governments will help offset the cost.

Downtown Kelowna Association member businesses will also be asked to help.

Basran said it will be at least a year before the city knows if it is a project it wishes to take on.

"The mayor of San Antonio told me this is an investment that will benefit our citizens for generations to come," said Basran.

Either way, nothing good ever comes from April 1.