Boaters will be pumping dollars into the meter before hitting the water.
It will cost $5 a day to park at the Kalavista Drive and Paddlewheel Park boat launches but a discounted seasonal pass will also be available.
“I don’t mind paying for parking if it goes to upgrades,” said Jack Gilroy, a Greater Vernon Advisory Committee director.
Operating costs include $10,200 for an attendant at each site during the summer weekends and $3,000 for annual maintenance.
Future costs may include a shuttle service so boaters can park off-site and be transported to the launch. This service could have a price tag of $8,000 per season, although a user-fee is being considered.
The season’s pass for parking will be set at 10-times whatever the day pass costs, so if the daily fee is $5, the season’s pass would be $50.
GVAC’s decision is based on a public survey last year.
“Five dollars was within the parameters of the cost they (boaters) supported,” said Tannis Nelson, community development co-ordinator.
Projected revenue is based on 3,000 boaters launching at both Kalavista and Paddlewheel Park each season.
The discounted season’s pass recognizes that many boaters already pay towards the sites through taxes.
“It will also help congestion (people not having to stop and pay the meter) and it will be convenient,” said Nelson.
The only concern is some boaters may try and avoid the fee by parking on nearby roads or going to smaller launches not designed for heavy use.
“There’s a balance to this,” said director Jim Garlick of establishing a fee that covers costs but doesn’t dissuade public use.
