Keep Skaha Park dry from alcohol

DEAR EDITOR:

Once again Skaha Park is in the limelight. The question is “why?” Did the powers that be not learn a valuable lesson from the Trio Marine episode?

We weathered the Trio debacle... or, did we? There should have been lessons learned. It seems that council might be sliding downhill irrespective of what has already transpired.

It seems that any input by advisory committees has been downplayed or ignored. It would appear that staff has the major input as to future Skaha Park issues re: development. Since when does the tail wag the dog?

The last developments which led to some marina modification were within reason. There was very little impact on the riparian area and the commercial café was an added bonus for boater and general public alike.

The café seems to be enjoying a stable clientele.

There is no reason to even entertain the aspect of allowing liquor to be sold in the park. It goes against the main premise of a park and that is for the enjoyment of families. Liquor is not needed for that to happen.

There have been suggestions by the Parks Advisory Committee and Peter Osborne. There is a viable plan in place to build a new dragonboat house without jeopardizing the riparian space. Slight modification would enhance green space, not lessen it.

Finally, the parks are owned by the taxpayers. They pay the salaries of staff and councillors alike. Therefore, they should have a major say in what transpires at Skaha Lake Park.

We, at Penticton Citizens First, will not support the sale of alcohol on Skaha Park land. We will support the boathouse project and preservation of the riparian area and the potential for families to enjoy a park that is, by definition, “an unencumbered entity.”

Ron Barillaro

Penticton