Wants answer to Cedar Ave. beach

Dear Editor: Re: Cedar Ave. Beach For years (since mid 1980s) there have been plans proposed to develop a beach from Cedar Ave. northwards to West Ave. Sometime later, the city made a decision to acquire more beachfront south of Cedar Ave. I have asked about this several times, but have not received a satisfactory answer that makes common sense to me or others.

So I repeat my questions and hope to learn the truth from the city.

1. How many properties (houses) did you buy, only north of Cedar Ave.? What did you pay for each? What rent have you charged over the years? Was this money applied to fund a beach for Cedar Ave.?

2. As some of these properties were placed on the market, I would think the city had already made preliminary negotiations with the owners since the mid 1980s (apparently such deals were undertaken for property south of Cedar in the 1990s.)

3. The city looked very kindly on the desires of the “Paddle Club” and had no qualms about creating a centre for them on this user-friendly beach. Why was the rest of the beach not prepared at the same time?

It has soft sand, shallow water, which is ideal for toddlers and families. My daughter and her elementary school chums loved the time they spent at the beach. Our lake is our gem. We, city and citizens should ensure that we all can enjoy the beach and lake now. We have already wasted 30 years.

4. What are the specific reasons for this unseemly delay? Is it staff or council that denies citizens the opportunity to enjoy Cedar Ave. beach? The water is there, the sand is there, even some shade trees are there. We need a modest washroom, a few benches and I think we could be enjoying this beach next summer. Is this too much to ask? Remember this park was originally planned in the mid 1980s. Let’s hope our progressive and new Council will review this beach in a positive light. M.F. Wort Kelowna