Kal lookout looks good

Coldstream Mayor Jim Garlick has welcomed a new look at Kalamalka Lake lookout, a rest area off Highway 97, south of Vernon.

Approximately $58,000 in provincial funds have been spent on picnic tables, new garbage and recycling bins, and toilets to make the lookout a little more welcoming for passersby who might like to stop and view the spectacular scenery. The area is also wheelchair accessible.

“The Society to Protect Kal Lake (SPARKLE) brought forward a vision for improving the lookout,” said Garlick Friday, as he and other dignitaries visited the site.

The mayor said it had been in bad shape.

“One of our councillors, Doug Dirk, actually brought up his weed eater and weed eated (sic) it down to improve the look.” he laughed.

Coldstream councillors approached Transportation Minister Todd Stone about doing something about it.

“We put forward an argument that this was a rest area overlooking a beautiful lake similar to his area,” said Garlick. “They have a nice rest stop overlooking Kamloops Lake.”

"This rest area gives those travelling in the area an important opportunity to take a break and take in the scenery," Stone said in a press release.

Garlick thinks the rest stop could be part of a cycling route, using the old rail trail.

“(Area B director) Bob Fleming is working to improve cycling all the way down to Oyama on the old highway system” said the mayor. “He's getting permits to fix it up and make a cycling trail also at this higher level so we could actually end up with the lookout part of it.”