Max Standen and his crew aboard the Fintry Queen while towing it to Kelowna on Dec. 2, 2024.
Image Credit: Max Standen
December 03, 2024 - 10:13 AM
The historic Fintry Queen has new owners and the old ferry made its way to Kelowna for renovations yesterday with hopes of returning service to Okanagan Lake.
The Fintry Queen was a ferry from Kelowna to West Kelowna between 1947 and when the Okanagan Lake Bridge was built in 1958.
The 40-metre long, 326-passenger ship was an entertainment venue after it was no longer needed as a ferry, but eventually it fell into disrepair.
Now, Max Standen along with some investors, bought the boat and have plans to restore it to its former glory.
“We've moved it closer to Kelowna now and we're going to keep its nostalgic, known look of the exterior and it's going to kind of hold its original state,” Standen said. “Keep the aura of the time of the ship, but just a little more updated in a sense. And our plans are to reopen the restaurant and outdoor spaces on it and everything like that.”
Standen is one of the owners of Okanagan Luxury Boat Club in Kelowna. Standen didn’t say how much he bought the Fintry Queen for but it was listed for $550,000 back in April.
The Fintry Queen was sold to Standen in June but he wanted to keep the deal quiet. Towing the boat from its mooring on the north-end of the lake to Kelowna naturally attracted people’s attention.
READ MORE: Okanagan Lake's historic Fintry Queen is for sale
“For the past little while, we've been trying to keep it a little hush-hush, just while we get our plans together and get everything going, but we figured the moment she moved up the lake it would stir the pot a little bit,” he said.
The Fintry Queen will be set up near Kelowna, and Standen said it might be ready for guests this summer.
When people saw the boat moving down the lake they took to social media to share their memories of good times on the Fintry Queen.
“We're really excited to have this project and we're overwhelmed by everyone's support and excitement. It's really cool to see everyone telling their personalized stories of, ‘oh, I had my graduation or we did our company party here one year. I think a lot of people have a good nostalgic feeling when they come back to see it.”
While Standen didn’t share the exact plans for the boat, he said it’s going to be a destination for tourists and locals alike.
“It will be quite an attraction for people to come see and hang out. And it'll be fun for everybody, for families with kids coming to hang out for the day all the way up to people looking for some excitement. And we'll hopefully be bringing lots of live acts back to the boat,” Standen said.
The Fintry Queen in motion on Dec. 2, 2024.
Image Credit: Max Standen
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