Don’t let us become like Niagara Falls
The Mighty Niagara: Now You See It, Now You Don’t
What does Niagara Falls have to do with Kelowna? A fair question and here is the answer. Don’t let Kelowna suffer the fate of Niagara Falls by placing the tourist centre so that it obscures the beauty of our lake and mountains.
In Kelowna, we do not have the majesty of the mighty Niagara, but we do have the majesty of the mountains and the beauty and serenity of Okanagan Lake. If our city fathers do not learn from the growth of cities like Niagara Falls and allow our natural wonders to be stolen from us and the visitors to Kelowna, then we are destined to say good-bye to these natural tourist attractions.
The following is a pictorial story of the fate of Niagara Falls. I beg city council to witness the destruction of the view of the Thundering Niagara.
The top photo is a view of Niagara Falls, Upper Niagara River and Navy Island from Fallsview, circa June 1968. Although not officially listed as one of the seven wonders of the world, the falls are an awesome sight, as is our lake.
Below, a view of the Upper Niagara River and Navy Island? Well, you used to be able to see them from here! Just concrete and glass now… what a thing of beauty.
My wife and I visited our hometown, Niagara Falls, in June 2005. We naturally went to Fallsview, where we used to take visitors for the best pictures of the falls. We wanted to take pictures and see this natural phenomenon, once more. We found as we approached our favourite viewing area, that it had disappeared. We saw the following breathtaking views. They brought tears to our eyes, and not because of the beauty. Our Niagara . . . gone.
A magnificent look at the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls — get your magnifying glass out because that is the only way you might see these the Falls in this picture. Honestly they are there.
The Upper Niagara River, Navy Island, Goat Island and the Mighty Niagara … I wish.
The almighty dollar has obliterated this magnificent view with a casino and hotel towers. Tourists used to be able to take pictures of the falls and the upper Niagara River from this point. But now? I hope you get the picture. I beg our city council and planners not to let the vision of big tax dollars obscure the view of our natural wonders – the majestic mountains surrounding serene Okanagan Lake.
Bill Peckham, Kelowna