Improvements to Kalamalka Lake’s Kalavista Road boat launch are underway and more are being planned.
The public is invited to provide their input at a traffic solutions session for the boat launch Wednesday at the municipal office at 7 p.m.
The session includes a number of recommendations to fix the congested situation at the Kalavista boat launch during the summer months.
The recommendations, from the traffic safety committee, range from expanding the existing boat launch parking by relocating the tennis courts, to charging for parking and altering the current parking allowances in the area to improve safety.
In the meantime, the boat launch is already receiving some work.
The concrete planks, leading boat trailers into the water, are being replaced with concrete pads.
“Over time what happens is they get uneven,” said Al McNiven, Greater Vernon Services parks and recreation director, adding that the planks have been there for more than 20 years.
Work started Wednesday on the removal of the pads, but got off to a bit of a rocky start.
Rob MacKay, a neighbour to the boat launch, was concerned to see GVS wasn’t following the proper procedure at first (although GVS later complied).
“I’m in the industry and I knew what the code was and knew they were in violation of it,” said MacKay.
According to the Ministry of Environment, a silt screen must be placed around the work being done leading to any waterways.
Since the boat launch enters Kalamalka Lake, a screen had been placed there.
But the launch area also sits next to a canal leading into the Kalavista Lagoon.
“It (silt screen) hadn’t been put around the entire perimeter,” confirms Lisa Tedesco, Ministry of Environment ecosystem biologist out of Vernon.
Although the situation was fixed to meet the code, it was very concerning to MacKay.
“We’re watching all the crap float up into the lagoon. Let’s use some common sense here and do what’s right for the environment.”
Work will be continuing in the area as the old planks that were ripped out Wednesday need to be replaced. Once new concrete pads are poured, cured and fastened together, a crane will be placing them into the water.
McNiven expects the work to be completed before the end of October.
The old docks are also expected to be replaced.
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Would it not make more sense to proceed with the works after the public meeting? Or is this just a little venting session with no consequences?
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