City of Penticton awarded $1M grant for lake-to-lake bike route

Photo: Contributed

The City of Penticton has been awarded a $1 million grant to help with the construction of a planned lake-to-lake bike route.

The provincial government announced the grant amidst a wave of other funding allotments around B.C. this week.

Anthony Haddad, Penticton's general manager of community services, said the grant is specifically for sections 3 and 4 of the cycling route, designs for which currently run from Okanagan Lake along Martin Street and Fairview Road.

"Staff will be bringing a report to council on March 16 with updated design work following on from discussions with landowners and business along the route," Haddad said.

"We will also have further information around costs and construction timelines."

The bike route was contentious before its approval in late 2020, with some on council concerned that it would negatively affect both businesses and residents along its path.

Others had concerns about the price tag, estimated at last update at around $8 million for all four phases connecting Skaha Lake to Okanagan Lake.

Photo: City of Penticton