Myra Canyon Adventure Park was supposed to open this weekend.
But vandalism has delayed the adventure park from opening until at least August, and damage will likely cost the owners tens of thousands of dollars.
Owner Rolf von Andrian’s son discovered three trees in the adventure park had been damaged by a chainsaw earlier this week.
Those trees were a key part of an adventure course that won’t be able to function properly with the current damage.
“We have to redesign…a section of the course, taking down all the wiring, taking down the platforms,” said von Andrian.
“But the biggest damage is, of course, the loss of revenue.
“July is now more or less lost.”
Von Andrian came to Canada from Germany with his family two years ago, through an entrepreneurship program.
Since then he and his wife have opened Myra Canyon Ranch Bed and Breakfast and Kelowna Stables.
This summer is set to be the adventure park’s opening season.
“We had construction (on the adventure park) for the last eight months.”
He said two of the damaged trees are easily accessible, the other is harder to get at.
The trees can possibly be replaced with poles; however, that may take away from the natural setting of the adventure park.
“The most important things we have are our trees…we want the tree, forest, canyon experience.
“The tree is more than just a holding element.”
Although the incident has impacted the family, they’re still happy to be living and doing business in Canada.
“It hurts us immensely and I’m kind of shocked that even Canada has bad apples.
“But it (won’t) stop us.”
Aside from the lost revenue, von Andrian predicts it will cost $20,000 to repair the adventure course.
wpaterson@kelownacapnews.com
Twitter: @PatersonWade
