Lake access needed for all

Oct 25 2006 http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/ EDITORIAL
It appears that some Vernon politicians want to preserve the waterfront for wealthy tourists and not local residents. During Monday’s council meeting, it was suggested by some councillors that Lakeshore Road should be eliminated to allow for large parcels of land for commercial development along Okanagan Lake. While there would be a tourism impact, this strategy would do little to benefit a growing community and residents who want to access the lake. Hopefully any review of the city’s waterfront plan will actually try to find a balance between the public and developers. Perhaps a better strategy would be for local government to acquire as many waterfront properties on Lakeshore Drive as possible so they can be turned into vast tracts of beach — similar to what exists in Penticton. And like in Penticton, the opposite side of Lakeshore Drive could evolve into a mix of affordable motels and higher-end hotels. That would achieve Vernon’s goal of having a tourist-commercial presence on the lake, while making sure there is sufficient sand for locals and tourists alike. Such a concept would also be more compatible with the adjacent airport than large-scale hotels. It’s been suggested by some city officials that the community should emulate Kelowna. While Kelowna’s waterfront is certainly well done and attractive, that community’s record with planning and growth is hardly one that should be repeated here. Ultimately what is needed, is for our civic leaders to show some vision and develop a made-in-Vernon plan that provides opportunities for all.