The primary boat launch on the Vernon end of Okanagan Lake can be overwhelmed during peak periods, and that is fuelling calls for another facility.
The Okanagan Landing Community Association recommended Thursday that the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee pursue another high-capacity boat launch because of challenges at Paddlewheel Park.
“We have a long-term problem here,” said president Victor Cumming of boats being near swimmers at Paddlewheel Park.
“We have had no accidents so far and we’d be very unhappy if there was.”
The launch, which is on land owned by the association, is also upwind, and Cumming says that creates challenges.
“Fumes, gas and oil slide into the swimming area,” he said.
Another concern is parking, and the association is opposed to a recent study conducted by GVAC that calls for more parking within Paddlewheel Park for tow vehicles and trailers.
But to alleviate some of the current problems, the association is calling for medium-term actions like expanded vehicle parking along Okanagan Landing Road, a valet service to other sites and a new west entrance to the park specifically for trucks pulling trailers.
While the association wants another launch constructed in Vernon, it has not discussed whether it would like to see the Paddlewheel Park facility ultimately closed.
“The launch functions very effectively from February to June 15 and it’s used regularly for residential, commercial and industrial uses,” said Cumming.
“This is an excellent deep water launch.”
Support for another boat launch on Okanagan Lake has the support of Mike Macnabb, a GVAC director.
“Capacity is an issue. The number of people using boats has gone up and they’re not small boats,” he said.
“We are already sitting on property we own.”
GVAC owns several pieces of property along the lake at Lakeshore Road.
Director Patrick Nicol would like to minimize the conflict between boaters and other recreational enthusiasts at Paddlewheel Park.
“It’s really a swimming area and it has everything to do with what Okanagan Landing is about. It’s a neighbourhood area,” he said.
