As the city’s Waterfront Plan trickles towards another public hearing, some of the residents most affected by the development want council to hurry up.Two residents along Cummins Road, 
Bruce Stobbe and Joel Ellams say that the waterfront along Okanagan Lake could become Vernon’s biggest selling feature for tourists. But as each month passes without a clear direction, more opportunities are lost, they say.“We just want to see a decision made,” said Ellams. “Let’s do it now and get some leadership.”Stobbe said residents along Cummins Road would like to see a large beach with nearby retail shops, condominiums and hotels along the lake. Although their vision is similar to the city’s there is a key difference, the residents would like to see the plan in action within five years and not the 50 year plan the city is talking about.“If we don’t establish something now it’ll be sad to see what happens next,” Stobbe said. “All of a sudden the lake is going to be closed off to the public.”The residents also want to be part of the neighbourhood and not be forced out. Ellams said it would be a shame to tear down houses that are only 11 years old. Rather than destroying the neighbourhood, where residents can be seen skiing down the street, he said he would like to see more homes along the street.“We’ve got a good little community happening here,” Ellams said. “What’s going to happen to these houses?” Cummins residents are opposed to the Elks club being moved into the old Lakers Golf Course Clubhouse which lies across the street from their homes. Stobbe said it would increase traffic and noise and alter the character of the neighbourhood. It would also turn a valuable piece of public parkland into a private club, he said.At Monday’s meeting, city council voted in favour of having another public debate on whether to move the Elks club to Cummins Road. While he’s unhappy that the Elks move is still on the table Ellams said he believes council is moving in the right direction.“We’re impressed with what they did (Monday),” he said. “We are pro-development – if anything we want to see it quicker than they do.”
Bruce Stobbe and Joel Ellams say that the waterfront along Okanagan Lake could become Vernon’s biggest selling feature for tourists. But as each month passes without a clear direction, more opportunities are lost, they say.“We just want to see a decision made,” said Ellams. “Let’s do it now and get some leadership.”Stobbe said residents along Cummins Road would like to see a large beach with nearby retail shops, condominiums and hotels along the lake. Although their vision is similar to the city’s there is a key difference, the residents would like to see the plan in action within five years and not the 50 year plan the city is talking about.“If we don’t establish something now it’ll be sad to see what happens next,” Stobbe said. “All of a sudden the lake is going to be closed off to the public.”The residents also want to be part of the neighbourhood and not be forced out. Ellams said it would be a shame to tear down houses that are only 11 years old. Rather than destroying the neighbourhood, where residents can be seen skiing down the street, he said he would like to see more homes along the street.“We’ve got a good little community happening here,” Ellams said. “What’s going to happen to these houses?” Cummins residents are opposed to the Elks club being moved into the old Lakers Golf Course Clubhouse which lies across the street from their homes. Stobbe said it would increase traffic and noise and alter the character of the neighbourhood. It would also turn a valuable piece of public parkland into a private club, he said.At Monday’s meeting, city council voted in favour of having another public debate on whether to move the Elks club to Cummins Road. While he’s unhappy that the Elks move is still on the table Ellams said he believes council is moving in the right direction.“We’re impressed with what they did (Monday),” he said. “We are pro-development – if anything we want to see it quicker than they do.”
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