Photo: Contributed

A contentious lake-to-lake bike route that Penticton council green lit last month will still likely see some design tweaks following bumpy public feedback. 

"There were a number of concerns raised about running the route in the downtown and the potential impact to businesses along Martin Street, and a number of solutions have been brought forward by the community,” said Anthony Haddad, Penticton’s general manager of community services which includes the City’s economic development.

“Staff have identified some potential options to help mitigate issues that have been identified during the process that we are ready to discuss more formally with the affected businesses and residents.”

Council will hear an update at their Dec. 8 meeting, and one-on-one meetings with affected businesses are underway. 

Staff are also considering hosting workshops with local stakeholders. While the route has been chosen, following Martin Street from Okanagan Lake to Fairview Road, then Atkinson Street to South Main through to Skaha Lake, the details of the design in each phase of construction have wiggle room. 

"Council is very interested in receiving staff’s update on Dec. 8. This next phase should help to answer some of the bigger questions that still remain on the lake-to-lake route,” said Penticton Mayor John Vassilaki.

“We’re hopeful the one-on-one conversations getting underway will bring further understanding around the concerns raised by the downtown business community and move us closer to realizing the exciting vision for this cycling route that will be for use by all residents and visitors throughout the city.”

Haddad added that a grant request is underway to help fund the ambitious project, the result of which will be presented to council in the new year. 

If the grant is successful and with the completion of the detailed design on the northern sections, construction could begin as early as this spring and will avoid construction during the busier summer season. Depending on the outcome of this next phase, staff will bring forward options to complete the detailed design for the remaining two sections at a later date.