A 25-year contract to operate the Skaha marina will be on the by-election ballot in June.
At the March 11 Penticton Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting, they recommended council approve the Skaha Lake Park East Plan and support putting a long-term contractual arrangement of up to 25 years for ‘the development, operation and management of the marina and related facilities and amenities’ to a referendum.
The 25-year contract would include short-term and long-term moorage, marina repairs, marina retail store, gas dock with fuel sales, watercraft and equipment rentals and the Nautical Dog café/licensed restaurant located at the marina area in Skaha Lake Park.
Currently, Randy and Karen Gallagher operate the marina, boat rentals and their amenities. The city awarded the Gallaghers a two-year contract in 2019.
The Gallaghers are long-term residents with deep roots in the community and also own the Wibit Waterpark businesses.
READ MORE: Eastern portion of Penticton’s Skaha Lake Park could get a $2.8M makeover
The question about the 25-year contract will be a question on the ballot as part of the upcoming by-election on June 5.
The by-election was called for after former mayor, turned councillor Jake Kimberely had a stroke and has since stepped down from his role.
The Skaha Lake East plan is going to cost more than $2 million.
Anything to do with Skaha Lake Park is closely followed by a group wanting to preserve Skaha Park as greenspace. The same group also fought waterslides coming to Skaha Park.
The city has been hosting several public information meetings including self-tours of what the city has planned for the area which includes a new boathouse.
READ MORE: City presents options for makeover at Skaha Lake Park east
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