June 27, 2014 - 9:30 AM
The Westside Daze fireworks are always a hugely popular event with crowds gathering on the shores of Gellalty Bay to take in the Saturday night display. This year, with the emergency closure of Gellatly Road leading to the waterfront, the District of West Kelowna is reminding motorists and pedestrians that the road is closed and alternate routes need to be taken for the June 28 fireworks beginning at 10:15 p.m.
To ensure that pedestrians do not travel through the emergency zone on Gellatly Road, the District will have flaggers on site to direct pedestrians to safe routes to travel. No pedestrians will be allowed through the construction area.
Pedestrians are encouraged to use other routes to access Gellatly Bay including the Westbank to Waterfront trail connection (map attached). Vehicles can be parked at Johnson Bentley Memorial Aquatic Centre or the Save On Foods shopping complex and pedestrians can walk down to the bay for the fireworks.
The trail travels from the southern end of Old Okanagan Highway (adjacent to JBMAC) along a gravel pathway to Cindy Road which connects to Harding Road. Stairs connect Harding and Angus Roads. Once on Angus Road, pedestrians can either turn right to go Willow Beach or turn left to go to Rotary Beach. The walk takes approximately 15 minutes.
The District anticipates that the Gellatly Road Detour route, along Witt and Carrall Roads, will be congested and encourages motorists to take alternate routes to Gellatly Bay including via Boucherie Road from the northeast or from the southwest via Glenrosa overpass, both routes are accessed via Highway 97.
Motorists using the Gellatly Road Detour are asked to obey the 30 km/hr speed limit and watch carefully for pedestrians, particularly after the fireworks are over and people are walking back to their vehicles in the dark.
Pedestrians are asked to please bring flashlights for a safe walk in the dark.
News from © iNFOnews, 2014