Lagoon fix in works
Repairs to a leaky lagoon system in Waterfront Park will be finished soon.
The vinyl underlay is being replaced in a project that started about two weeks ago.
“The underlay had a few tears in it, so we’ve just taken advantage of this time to replace it,” said Jason Guyitt, director of operations at the Delta Grand hotel.
“We expect the project will done in the next two weeks, so the lagoons will be back up and running in time for the May long weekend,” Guyitt said.
Waterfront Park, developed in the early 1990s at a cost of $6 million, was built by infilling about five acres of Okanagan Lake to create a total park area of about 25 acres.
The three-acre lagoon system sits above the elevation of the lake, with boat access through a lock on the waterfront.
A three-party agreement was struck to maintain the park. The grassy areas, beach, island stage, and washrooms, are the responsibility of the City of Kelowna.
The plaza at the Water Street entrance to the park, along with the Dolphins public art sculpture, are the responsibility of a strata council representing residents of nearby highrises.
Maintenance of the lagoons and dock rests with the Delta Grand. The annual costs of operating and maintaining the water features in Waterfront Park were $180,000 in 2006.
That year, there was a dispute between the parties about the maintenance costs. Until it was resolved, broadly following principles outlined in the existing agreement, lagoon water became murky and filled with algae.