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Coldstream To Reopen Boat Launch & Extend Trail Path

Dec 14, 2017 | 12:10 PM

Coldstream is moving ahead to get the Westkal boat launch re-opened for next spring.

Council’s Finance Committee this week decided to go ahead with a plan to repair the launch damaged by this year’s flooding.

Mayor Jim Garlick says the concrete pads at the launch will be replaced.

“And then we’re going to monitor whether a gate is needed on there, a little more closely. It was felt more information would be needed as far as the need on that.”

The work will cost about 35 thousand dollars.

The committee rejected a recommendation from staff to leave the launch as is with concrete barriers to prevent vehicle access.

Meanwhile, the committee decided to hold off approving a 185 thousand dollar Front Office renovation of the Municipal Hall.

Jim Garlick says the proposed design doesn’t fit.

“We lose the entrance to our council chambers through the building, the main entrance. We said that would have to be looked at. The other thing was dealing with occupational and health safety issues.”

That involves ergonomics concerns with workstations and cabinetry.

The committee asked for a redesign, hopefully at a lower cost.

The Finance Committee also reaffirmed its commitment to extend the Kalamalka Road Multi-Use Pathway from Vernon into Coldstream.

It is still waiting to hear the status of a grant application.

Mayor Jim Garlick says even if the application is rejected, the work will still be done to extend the pathway from Alpine Centre to College Way.

The goal is then to connect to the Okanagan Rail Trail.

“What we’re hoping still to do is make a purchase of the remaining rail line that has been more or less abandoned by CN. The rails and everything are taken out. We would like to work towards acquiring that.”

It will likely be March or April before the District’s request is answered.

Garlick says if the grant application doesn’t go through, the work would be funded by gas tax revenue.