A solution to a shortage of spots to moor boats at the wharf in Marine Park was one issue discussed between Twin Anchors and city council recently.
Shuswap Lake Vacations Inc., also known as Twin Anchors Houseboats, has held the lease at the marina for the past 19 years, a lease which expires in December 2015.
Todd Kyllo, president of Twin Anchor Houseboat Rentals, addressed the city’s planning committee last month, noting there’s been confusion about where the public can moor boats. He said signage his company had erected went missing, so more will be posted at the office, dock and loading ramp, directing people to the correct area.
Kyllo also said a new reservation program will be implemented and he thinks it will be added to the city’s website.
One of the challenges for his company, he said, is that it put gates at the wharf, but the city took them down and didn’t replace them for three months. That meant vandalizing of the concession, washrooms and boats went unchecked.
The gates are closed at 11 p.m. which can help deter partyers who try to return to the dock, he said. “With my boats we have a little more control, we have a security deposit…” he said. “We can take your 2,500 or 3,000 dollars.”
He said he is unhappy the Roots and Blues Festival chose to use another houseboat company to dock at the wharf when his company has paid a large lease in order to, in part, get advertising and exposure.
Mayor Nancy Cooper said she is pleased signage will be improved and she thinks that, overall, things will go better.
Coun. Alan Harrison said the wharf belongs to the citizens so he would like to see the slips as accessible as possible. He also said he thinks leasing the facility is preferable to the city operating it.
“I think this would be an expense, rather than an overall revenue…”
