FILE PHOTO.

(BEN BULMER / iNFOnews.ca)

Faced with a $500,000 cost to replace the pier at Kalamalka Lake Beach the District of Coldstream is asking the North Okanagan Regional District for cash.

A letter sent by the District of Coldstream asks the Regional District to help out financially to support the rebuilding of Kal Beach pier.

"Recognizing that the pier at Kalamalka Lake Beach serves the Greater Vernon region and is a major tourist attraction benefiting the region as a whole," the letter states.

According to a District of Coldstream report the pier has "at most" a five-year life span and other problems could crop up within this time especially if there are extreme weather events and high waves.

The pier has been deteriorating in recent years and was closed from 2017 to 2019 after it was severely damaged by flooding which caused widespread destruction across the region.

The report suggests the pier be completely replaced with steel piles and new wooden decking.

"While this is the more expensive option, limited benefit would be realized from isolated replacements or repairs," the report reads.

The report says using steel piles instead of wood means the pier will last three times longer and not need replacing for 60 years.

The District of Coldstream's letter doesn't specify the amount of money it would like from the Regional District.

Coldstream's request for cash may ruffle some feathers though, as the District controversially pulled out of funding Vernon's Active Living Centre.

At the time, Vernon council criticized the move for not letting Coldstream residents decide in the referendum.

Directors at the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee are set to discuss Coldstream's request at its Jan. 4 meeting.

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