Beach lots a priority

Photo: Darren Handschuh

City of Vernon staff have been told that upgrades to city-owned beach lots at the north end of Okanagan Lake should become a priority.

“From 25th Avenue, we own nine lots along Lakeshore Drive in that whole stretch before you get to Kin Beach. There are six lots that are continuous,” said Coun. Catherine Lord. “I want us to start working on that as a beach area for citizens and for tourism.”

While council's strategic plan places development of a lakeshore park in 2018, staff have been told that should come sooner.

At council this week, Lord said developing the beach land should be “a priority.”

“I'd like to see us do something by next year.”

Lord is also hopeful fixing up the beach area might kickstart private development in the Okanagan Landing neighbourhood.

“The cost of developing that, the infrastructure, is huge,” Lord admitted. “I think we're looking now at a local area service (LAS) so that a whole bunch of properties in that area will then be charged for 20 years so much and then we'll upfront the cost.”

The LAS was successful in Vernon's downtown when area merchants and businesses helped pay for upgrades, including benches, brickwork and new street lighting, according to staff.

“I think doing those two things together, if we develop those lakefront lots and have a reduced cost for the LAS, I think we're going to start seeing some action there,” said Lord.

“People are starting to use those lakeside lots already but if we improve them and make them really, really attractive, I think you'll see a lot of people there.”