Summerland’s newly-minted mayor, Toni Boot, said that despite flooding and fires, 2018 was a great year for Summerland.
“The most problematic parts were the fires and floods,” said Boot. “I’m not sure it is the new normal, but certainly we have to do what we can to both adapt and mitigate.”
Related: Summerland crews prepare for flood repair work
Eneas Creek was one of the areas that saw some severe flooding in 2018, but Boot said district crews did a great job of keeping the water from flooding into Summerland’s downtown. Then, right after the flooding, came another fire season, with wildfires north and south of Summerland threatening populated areas.
“It forced an evacuation out in Garnet Valley. That was pretty frightening for everybody that was out there,” said Boot. “We had our own emergency operation centre set up here in the hall and that was staffed 24/7. And of course, we had our emergency services, social services set up as well to help people that that have been evacuated.
Related: Evacuation alerts lifted in Summerland
“I think everyone pulled together really well. Fire, RCMP, the community for sure, district staff … all pulled together and made the most of handling it the best way the could.”
Boot said there were a few lessons learned to help prepare for 2019’s spring and summer, especially when it comes to improving communication between the province, local governments, agencies and homeowners.
“When people are experiencing those flooding issues and they want to protect their property, of course you are going to come to the local government,” Boot said, adding they found there was a bit of a disconnect, and frustration on the part of property owners, dealing with the systems.
“It takes too long to get for necessary permits, we need to save our property now,” is what Boot said the district was hearing from people. But for 2019, Boot said they’ve been assured the communications are being worked on, to help property owners more easily and make it more readily apparent what can be done.
Last year was also good from the construction side.
“There were a number of housing starts in Summerland and the value of the building permits was the highest it’s ever been in the last five years,” said Boot, adding that carries over to 2019.
“The Wharton Street project is expected to get underway this spring. There are houses that are going in across from the middle school, there is continuing building in Trout Creek,” said Boot. “Hunter’s Hill will be getting underway; it’s been a long time coming but I think everything is in place now.”
Affordable housing will probably be on the agenda for municipal council in 2019, according to Boot, who added that the previous council had a study done on the affordable housing situation in Summerland.
“It wasn’t surprising to see that we have, not a crisis, but something that needs to be attended to,” said Boot. “I would expect that there will be some discussion around how we can help, whether it’s re-zoning or district land, whatever it is to work to get more affordable units in Summerland.
“I know that the council wants to continue increasing, and working on, the livability of Summerland.”
That can take many forms, she explained, including the new B.C. Transit route from Penticton to Kelowna twice a day.
“The transportation make it more livable for people. We want to continue increasing our recreational amenities, replacing what needs to be replaced,” she said.
That includes the Summerland pool, which has reached the end of its life expectancy, according to a recent assessment.
“It’s not something probably for our term, but certainly there will be work towards that and there will be discussion about that,” said Boot.
The pool is over 40 years old, and while there are some things that can be repaired or updated, the consideration is about replacing it.
“Overall, the decisions need to be made by the community, whether or not it’s worthwhile putting the money into that … or an expanded facility or looking more towards a more inclusive recreation complex that has various facilities besides the two main ones, the gym and the pool,” said Boot.
“That is a conversation that needs to be carried out in the community.”
Other accomplishments for 2018 include the start of construction of the Skate Park and work progressing on converting the former library to an arts and culture centre.
Steve Kidd
Senior reporter, Penticton Western News
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