Plug pulled on boat launch parking

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: April 11, 2009

Anyone wanting to spend a day boating on Kalamalka Lake could be left high and dry by tighter parking rules. The Greater Vernon Advisory Committee is shrinking the number of parking spaces available for the Kalavista Drive boat launch in an attempt to reduce use of the launch and ease traffic congestion. “We are waiting for a disaster to happen there,” said Richard Enns, a Coldstream councillor, speaking to GVAC Thursday. “Someone is going to be killed. One of our constituents had a boat roll into their yard.” As a result of Thursday’s decision, 10 parking spaces on the grassy area around the tennis court will be lost. That will leave 35 spots in the existing gravel lot. Many residents in the neighbourhood have complained that boat launch traffic is making Kalavista Drive dangerous and they claim the situation got worse when parking was allowed on the grass in 2006. “The issue of capacity is directly linked to parking,” said Doug Dirk, a GVAC director.

However, director Buffy Baumbrough questioned if fewer spaces for vehicles and boat trailers will help. “If we make the parking lot smaller, that will increase congestion. Won’t you just have people waiting?” she said. Director Wayne Lippert suggested Coldstream follow Vernon’s lead and restrict lake access to canoes and kayaks only. “If you leave it as a launch for motor boats, there will always be a problem,” he said. GVAC staff admit all of its boat launches are heavily used and perhaps there is a need to look at the matter long-term to address public demand. “There needs to be a bigger discussion on how to access Kal Lake,” said Al McNiven, parks and recreation administrator. “Kekuli Bay (provincial boat launch) also fills on those same weekends. They also go to capacity.” And for Enns, people are flocking to the Kalavista launch because Kekuli Bay on Highway 97 is too small. “If the provincial boat launch was sufficient to meet our needs, we wouldn’t have this problem,” he said. GVAC is also asking the District of Coldstream to deal with any traffic issues surrounding the Kalavista launch.Signs will also be installed directing people to secure their boat and contents before leaving the launch area.