CITY SUSPENDS ROADWORKS PROJECT

CITY OF VERNON FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT: Liz Williams, Media Liaison
TELEPHONE: (250) 550-3539

The City of Vernon will discontinue roadworks on Lakeshore Road from the south end of Kin Beach to the Vernon Creek at the request of the Okanagan Indian Band. The project will be suspended until further notice until the City and the Okanagan Indian Band resolve public right of way issues on the site.

After many complaints regarding noise, vandalism and vehicles driving directly onto the beach at the risk of public safety, the City applied for and received a substantial provincial grant to improve the area by constructing a retaining wall along the beachfront to deter vehicles driving onto the beach, and to provide parallel parking, bicycle racks, pedestrian walkways and trees along the area for the enjoyment and safety of beach visitors.

Although both parties have worked together in support of the project for some time, the new Band Council has recently reviewed the project and determined “ that the land being considered for the proposed improvement is held by the Okanagan Indian Band and not the Province”, and as such, is “for the use and benefit of the Okanagan Indian Band.”

The City, therefore, wishes to advise the public to contact the Okanagan Indian Band office with any concerns they may have regarding parking, noise, vandalism, animal or safety issues that may be experienced on the road and beach area in question.