Members of the Vernon, Kalamlka and Silver Star Rotary Clubs, as well as representatives for the District of Coldstream, at the new Rotary Pier monument (photo by Liam Verster / Vernon Matters)

By Liam Verster

Pier Upgrades Complete

Re-dedication, opening ceremony held for Kal Beach Pier

May 31, 2025 | 11:00 AM

A re-dedication ceremony was held at Kalamalka Beach’s Rotary Pier Saturday.

The pier was upgraded with steel pipes, treated wood beams and composite decking material, which began in November of 2024 after the District of Coldstream granted its approval.

The ceremony on May 31 marked the completion of the work, and the pier was re-dedicated to the Vernon, Kalamalka and Silver Star Rotary Clubs.

Gene Vickers, President of the Silver Star Rotary Club; Kate Kutzner, President of the Vernon Rotary Club; and Brian Reid, President of the Kalamlaka Rotary Club, holding up the old Rotary Pier sign (photo by Liam Verster / Vernon Matters)

Members of the Vernon, Kalamlka and Silver Star Rotary Clubs, as well as representatives for the District of Coldstream, at the new Rotary Pier monument (photo by Liam Verster / Vernon Matters)

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The pier was built in 1934 with Vernon Rotary splitting the cost with the City of Vernon.

Since then, the three clubs have come together to act as stewards of the pier.

“We wanted the Rotary naming rights for the pier to maintain itself, because for 90 years we’ve had our name on the beach,” Brian Reid, president of the Kalamalka Rotary Club, said.

“So that’s why the monument and the pier recognition happened again.”

The overhead Rotary sign at the pier was removed during construction and will not be reinstalled. Instead, a new engraved stone monument recognizing the contributions of the local Rotary Clubs was erected at the beach earlier in the month. The old sign and the Rotary Spool will be donated to the museum.

This year also marks the 100th anniversary of the Vernon Rotary Club, and Reid said it was great to recognize the club’s history and contribution with the monument.

The Rotary Clubs were working on a permanent display detailing the history of the organizations and the pier. The design of that display will be brought before Coldstream Council at future date.

At the request of the Rotary Clubs, the District of Coldstream was also making the pier and beach more accessible. A Mobi-mat had already been installed on the beach and would be connected to the pier once a wheelchair ramp is installed. The District also purchased a floating wheelchair that people could use to get into the lake.