Lake Country Calendar, August 21, 2013

Page 1

Calendar Lake Country

Petrina Koltun R

ealtoR

250-826-5660

Proudly Serving

www.lakecountrycalendar.com

Winfield, Oyama, Okanagan Centre and Carrs Landing since 1951

petrinakoltun.com

your home is where my heart is

August 21, 2013

▼ TRANSPORTATION

Inside

New stretch of Highway 97 opens KEVIN PARNELL STAFF REPORTER

Human-caused fire With the hot, dry summer the Okangan is experiencing, regional fire officials are concerned about human-cause fires. . ...........................

11

Cars in the park Classic and custom car enthusiasts are expected to flood into Swalwell Park this weekend for the annual Lake Country Customs and Classics car show. ...............................

Flyers ■ Staples ■ OK College ■ JYSK ■ Shoppers

7

Hours before vehicles began traveling freely over a new, four-lane highway from Winfield to Oyama on the weekend, officials from all levels of government as well as members of the public took part in an official opening that celebrated the history of the route the new Highway 97 takes. And while the majority of the 26,000 vehicles a day that will use the nine-kilometre stretch likely won’t know they are passing over sacred grounds, those in attendance at the opening were certainly aware of the significance of the new highway. Not only in terms of safety for the traveling public, but in cooperation between senior and local government as well as area First Nations groups. “This highway might only be nine kilometres long but at the end of the day it’s a reflection on how all levels of people can work together to get something accomplished,” said Byron Louis, the chief of the Okanagan Indian Band. “These are the types of relationships that need to go on in the future. They say transportation and education are two things that drive economies. We have both here. This is transportation but also education because of the things that have been found here and preserved. There was a fishing net

found that was laid out just as it was thousands of years ago and it has been preserved.” It was an important and emotional day for those involved as the face of the community of Lake Country changed forever with the new highway opening and the old highway, now known as Pelmewash Parkway, set to be taken over by the District of

‘‘

THIS HIGHWAY MIGHT ONLY BE NINE KILOMETRES LONG BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY IT’S A REFLECTION ON HOW ALL LEVELS OF PEOPLE CAN WORK TOGETHER TO GET SOMETHING ACCOMPLISHED. Chief Byron Louis

Lake Country. But it was the past that was fresh on many people’s minds, beginning with the ceremonial prayer, spoke in English by OIB elder Ranger Robins. “I’m not going to speak in our traditional language because I get choked up sometimes…I’m at a loss for words” said Robins. “I recall coming here SEE HIGHWAY 3

LISA VANDERVELDE/MORNING STAR

PEYTON DEGELDER, 9, rides her bike over the rumble strips on the new stretch of Highway 97 as the new road was officially opened last Friday afternoon.

Rural Liquor Agency 16020 Oyama Rd • Open Mon.-Sat. 7am-9pm Sun. & Holidays 9am-9pm

OKF

NOW OPEN Take-out orders call

Gr d eat Street Foo

778-483-4444

Open 11-7 Everyday

Visit us at the Oyama General Store


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.