Expansion to Kalavista Drive’s boat launch parking is being considered to improve the congested situation during the summer months.
The public’s input will be sought on this and seven other recommendations from the traffic safety committee.
The committee came up with the suggestions following complaints from area residents on traffic and parking.
“These then are not set in stone, they’re ideas we’re throwing out there,” said Coldstream Coun. Jim Garlick.
The recommendations are as follows:
1. Consider relocating the tennis courts to Creekside Park to allow for expansion of the trailer parking area. This would have a significant cost.
2. Barricade Kalavista Drive immediately south of the boat launch from June 15 to Labour Day, to reduce through traffic conflicting with boat launch traffic.
3. Charge for parking on weekends and holidays between June 15 and Labour Day when demand exceeds capacity.
4. Widen Kalavista Drive slightly to allow for marked lines for queuing locations. Boaters would be instructed to line up and wait their turn without blocking driveways. Cost estimate $15,000.
5. Eliminate parking on the pathway between Postill Drive and Kidston Road, with caution. Restrict to one hour maximum on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays between June 15 and Sept. 15.
6. Reduce foot traffic between boat launch and parking and tie-down area. Ideally the tie-down area should be relocated to the road right-of-way fronting the old log house. Alternatively, paint and mark a crosswalk across Kalavista Drive at the boat launch and construct a sidewalk.
7. Angled parking on the south side of Kalamalka Road be removed and replaced with parallel parking.
8. Angled parking on the north side of Kalamalka Road be painted with individual stalls. Include small car only designation for stalls less than three metres long.
Garlick says more parking doesn’t make sense.
“If that boat launch has reached its limit why would you want to add to the problem?”
While charging boaters to park their trailers is favorable, resident Maria Besso says most of the suggestions are not suitable solutions. Adding more parking spots will only further add to the problem and neighbours aren’t likely to support it, she says.
“These are the same neighbours that they were worried about disturbing with a kayak and canoe club,” said Besso, a Primrose Drive resident.
But Coun. Mary Malerby, who is also a member of the traffic safety committee, feels the suggestions could relieve the congestion in the area over the summer months.
Bob Bibby, bylaw enforcement officer, can attest to the situation in the summer, which has prompted the district to hire commissionaires to work seven days a week during the summer.
“They’re constantly lapping, making sure all the boat launches are being used properly,” said Bibby.
Initially it was suggested the recommendations be put forward to area residents only, but it was agreed that all those interested should have a say.
“I think it’s more beneficial to get everybody’s opinion in the beginning rather than head down that road and find there’s considerable opposition,” said Coun. Doug Dirk.
Coun. Bill Firman says there’s an even bigger issue that should be considered.
“Whether there should even be motorized boats on Kalamalka Lake at all considering it’s our drinking water and all the environmental concerns.”
Firman also says the district should apologize for putting in the existing boat launch parking lot in 2006 in the first place.
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