Fintry Queen plan sought

The idea of providing a moorage site for the Fintry Queen tour boat in Summerland is appealing, but councillors want to see a detailed business plan before proceeding any further.

Andy Schwab, owner of the Okanagan Lake Boat Company, has been attempting to secure a permanent site for the ship, built in Vancouver in 1948 and docked in Kelowna as a tourist attraction for many years.

Council met with Schwab for an hour during committee of the whole on Monday. Several landing sites were suggested in places including Penticton, Summerland and Naramata. A proposal for hop-on, hop-off service for cyclists and walkers was also suggested, as well as floating business luncheons for up to 260 guests. It was also presented as having a potential tie-in with the Kettle Valley Railway.

“It sounds pretty exciting,” Mayor Peter Waterman said. “I have some reservations about some aspects of the proposal. There is a rich history of rail and boat travel in the South Okanagan, and also with cycling tourism. It has real potential for moving people around the lake with walk-ons and cyclists.”

Council agreed to request a detailed business plan from Okanagan Lake Boat Company before committing further staff time.

“A lot more work needs to be done on their part,” chief administrative officer Lynda Tynan said.

Erin Carlson, the lone dissenting vote, stated she had “strong reservations” about the project.

“I’m extremely skeptical. Summerland was the last community approached in the Okanagan by the Fintry Queen,” she said.