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(STEVE ARSTAD / iNFOnews.ca)
July 30, 2020 - 6:00 PM
A new walking path leading folks to a underused parking lot has been created at the south channel exit near Skaha Lake to ease congestion problems with so many floaters on Penticton's Okanagan River Channel.
Th city is working with Penticton Indian Band, Kul Group, Coyote Cruises and locatee land owners to create a walking-path to the parking lot adjacent to the airport, according to a recent city's news release.
“Given the record volume of people floating the channel, along with this summer’s need for safe social distancing, the crowded situation that surfaced at the south channel exit required an immediate solution,” said city manager Donny van Dyk in the press release. “With walking-path access to additional parking in place, combined with steps taken by PIB to limit traffic in their parking lot to passenger collection only, we’re confident this popular assembly area can function safely during the pandemic.”
READ MORE: Unsung Okanagan River channel heroes part of effort to improve safety
To help floaters maintain social distancing, the city has also installed signs and line paint for parking. Working with Coyote Cruises, the city is also hiring channel ambassadors during busy periods to direct floaters as they exit the channel, according to the news release.
The parking lot providing the extra space was granted to the city via a 1964 access agreement with the Transport Canada and while free to use this summer, the city may consider adding user fees to offset the costs of maintaining it in the future, according to the release.
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