Campaign to save park

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

The effort to save Skaha Lake Park from commercial development was back in full swing on Saturday.

Members of the Save Skaha Park Society held an event at the Penticton park to celebrate Earth Day and launch a membership drive.

"We thought saving the park is a natural fit with Earth Day," said Lisa Martin, the spokesperson for the society. "And the main thing we are opposed to is the loss of green space and the impact on wildlife here including turtles, ducks and fish."

The society is a citizen group that has vocally opposed a city-endorsed plan to allow a commercial waterslide operation, by Trio Marine Group, inside the public park.

Trio also has plans to develop the Skaha marina.

Opponents have rallied outside City Hall against the project, created a human chain at the park and collected more than 8,000 signatures on a petition.

Saturday's event featured speakers from the society, musicians and walking tours around the entire perimeter of the park.

Dr. Gerry Karr, with the society, talked about how a big waterslide would ruin the park and that once the land was gone they would never get it back again.

He and others also emphasized the importance of the membership drive, for 10,000 members in 100 days.

Having that membership, they say, will help if the civil suit the society filed against the city and Trio ends up in court.

He added that at this point the city has not responded to the civil claim.

People in attendance shared the society's goal of saving the green space.

"I very firmly believe that a public park should not be used for private enterprise, especially since Penticton is already low on the amount of parks it should have for a city of this size," said Lynn Kelsey.

Jake Evans, there with his son, said he wasn't sure where he stood, because both sides, (supporters of the project), and the society are making valid points.

"When the whole scenario first came out, I thought what's the harm," he said. "But since then the way things transpired, I think maybe the mayor and council need to take more time on this."

Supporters of the project believe it will be good for young families and give an economic boost to the city.

Mayor Andrew Jakubeit, speaking to the civil suit, said where it is at is with the developer gauging their resolve to continue, modify or abandon their plans.

"As both parties are named in the suit, it makes sense to ensure all parties are on the same page before proceeding and/or responding," he said.