Swan Lake corridor plans

Photo: Google Maps

Environmental protection and economic development are the goals of a waste water treatment plan for the Swan Lake corridor.

Stakeholders from the Okanagan Indian Band, North Okanagan Regional District and Township of Spallumcheen met with engineers from Urban Systems Tuesday to go over plans for the plant which would go at the north end of Swan Lake.

“This would help with economic development in the Swan Lake corridor. Without sewer, the area will never reach its full potential,” said Bob Fleming, Electoral Area B director. “It will also provide environmental protection for the lake.”

Fleming told members of the Swan Lake Corridor Business Association that a feasibility study will be looked at in coming weeks with some hard costs worked on.

There is also hope that the federal government's promised infrastructure funding may help in the form of a grant. Fleming said OKIB is in a great position to access additional funds. “Verbal support from the province is very strong as this could serve as a model for interjurisdictional cooperation with First Nations,” said Fleming.

The plan calls for the servicing of the entire corridor from the city boundary to the plant, with service lines along Highway 97 and Pleasant Valley Road.

Of major interest is that servicing the corridor could allow an estimated 150-200 hectares of land to be opened up for Industrial and light industrial development, according to Fleming who expects the new facility to be fully operational in five years.

Vernon's economic development manager Kevin Poole said industrial and commercial lands are key to growth in the region. “Servicing is one of the challenges.”