By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: May 27, 2012 1:00 AM
A Vernon resident insists there will be unrealized potential as long as public waterfront deteriorates. Joel Ellams, a realtor who lives on Lakeshore
Road, says he is increasingly frustrated with the condition of 10
Okanagan Lake lots owned by the Regional District of North Okanagan. “The beaches are getting pathetic,” he said. Ellams says weeds are allowed to flourish and
there is a steady flow of garbage from people using the sites or
surfacing from the lake. “There are diapers there and ice bags washed up (from boats). There is dog crap all over.” Besides impacting local residents wanting to soak up the sun, Ellams believes the lack of maintenance is hurting the economy. “It’s scaring people from developing,” he said of Vernon’s tourist commercial waterfront plan. “You can’t sell resort uses across the street
from derelict beaches. We don’t have industry in this town. We need to
draw people in to create a stable economy.” In 2011, RDNO allotted $220,000 on upgrades to
the properties, including removing dangerous trees, rough grading,
installation of a rail fence, signage, benches, lawn and willow trees. Ellams says little action has likely occurred
because politicians are too busy wrangling over governance of parks and
recreation. “I’d like them to make a decision on who is controlling parks and go ahead with maintenance,” he said. Regional district officials admit no work has been done along Lakeshore Road. “Due to capacity issues with staffing, we weren’t able to complete it,” said planner Keith Pinkoski. “The money is still in reserves and the parks are a
priority but time and attention has been focused on other things
(recreation complex and other facilities with safety concerns).” Pinkoski says garbage cans could possibly be installed
this year but more complex upgrades will be considered as part of the
2013 capital plan. “We want it to be usable,” he said. “I drive by there every morning and if we had some extra hands, we could deal with it.”
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Joel Ellam’s frustration is understandable.Like Ellam, anyone who travels along Lakeshore
Road will notice the 10 publicly owned lots that have been allowed to go
virtually wild. Weeds abound and garbage is allowed to pile up. Tourists looking to cool off in Okanagan Lake are
going to be left with an extremely poor impression of Vernon if they
stop at these sites, and they aren’t likely to come back. It’s a horrible situation especially given the significant amount of cash taxpayers forked out for the sites. The Regional District of North Okanagan says it’s
aware of the situation, and a $220,000 rejuvenation plan was placed on
the books in 2011. However, nothing has been done because staff says
it’s preoccupied with other matters and there simply isn’t the time to
move ahead with the project. Ideally, the project — with benches, lawn and
signs — should proceed long-term, but most residents aren’t asking for
bells and whistles. To address immediate needs this summer, the parks
contractor — which is the City of Vernon — must be sent over to pull
weeds and ensure basic safety concerns are addressed. Other than that,
all that’s needed are a few garbage cans, which are probably sitting in
storage, and a portable toilet in a central location. As a community that frequently says it’s
interested in promoting recreation and expanding economic development
opportunities, regional district officials are taking a different
direction. The time has come for lakeshore access to be bumped up the priority list.
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