DWK to look at waterfront options

Completion of a waterfront plan could cost the District of West Kelowna as much as $250,000.

Council will look at three possible options regarding development of a waterfront plan for the municipality at its meeting Tuesday.

The options vary in cost from $75,000 to $250,000.

In a report prepared for council, Planning Manager Nancy Henderson says improved access and community amenities on Okanagan Lake have been identified as top priorities by both the community and council.

She says council has identified development of a waterfront plan as a priority in identifying waterfront opportunities, including community space, public access, riparian enhancements, recreation opportunities and tourism amenities.

Based on a review of similar plans, DWK staff developed the three options which are being presented to council.

"Due to limited staff resources and current commitments on other planning projects, and the need for specific areas of expertise, it is staff's recommendation that a consulting team be engaged to assist with the planning process, stakeholder consultation, analysis and reporting for this project," says Henderson in her report.

"The scope of work for the project will be developed from council's direction, and a detailed publicly tendered request for proposals will be developed, as per the District of West Kelowna Purchasing Policy."

Henderson says a supplemental budget request in the amount of $75,000 will be submitted for council's consideration during 2010 budget deliberations.

She adds council may wish to phase the preparation of a waterfront plan over two years in order to allow the financial impact to be spread over two fiscal budgets.