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Winfield, Oyama, Okanagan Centre and Carrs Landing since 1951
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2 5 0 - 76 6 - 2 0 9 9 10 9 - 9 6 8 5 H w y. 9 7 N (Winfield Plaza) Lake Country Fu s i o n S t u d i o @ s h a w. c a
October 2, 2013
▼ WOOD LAKE CORRIDOR
Inside
Final input to Pelmewash design KEVIN PARNELL Lake Country residents showed up in full force last week to get a look at the concept plan for Pelmewash Parkway as the District of Lake County held another open house, allowing the public to give further input and get a look at the concept plan for the roadway. Close to 80 residents showed up at municipal hall on Sept. 24, hearing from consultants that have put together a concept plan using information gathered from the public at previous input sessions. About half the folks who turned out filled out a comments form giving further input while comments are still being accepted until Oct. 8. (See story below.) “From what I can gather the response was very favourable for what was proposed,” said Lake Country councillor Owen Dickie. “It’s very much going to be a rec-
reational corridor with a narrow roadway that will allow for through travel and has the ability to isolate pedestrian and bike traffic from the road.” Among the items that have been taken off the agenda is the potential closing of the road in the middle of Pelmewash Parkway. Dickie said that is no longer an option and the road will remain open to through traffic, although what’s up in the air is the use of the road by commercial trucks. “There are some trucks that are using it now, big rigs that are pulling into the pullouts and parking, as well as gravel trucks from the Oyama gravel pit,” said Dickie, adding that Lake Country council was leaning towards closing the road to commercial traffic in the future. With the district not expected to take over control of the road until sometime next year, council still can’t make any firm decisions on potentially closing the road to rigs. “There was pretty
Pelmewash design options to consider
In previous public information sessions on the future of Pelmewash Parkway, the public gave input on the vision and objectives for the former stretch of Highway 97, but now the District of Lake Country is asking for input on design op-
STAFF REPORTER
Beasley Community Centre is ready for action after completion of $620,000 renovations. Upgrades included indoor and field lighting, heating, washrooms and flooring. ...............................
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Water system passes the test Residents who get their drinking water from Oyama Lake were kept safe from potentially harmful e.coli bacteria after heavy rainfalls last week, when the recently upgraded system immediately switched their source of water to UV-treated Kalamalka Lake. ...............................
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Flyers ■ Budget Blinds ■ Home Depot ■ Rona ■ Shoppers ■ Staples
CONTRIBUTED
CLOSE to 80 residents of Lake Country showed up last week to see a concept plan for the future of Pelmewash
Parkway. See story below for how to give your thoughts on the Parkway. consistent agreement (on council) that the road would be closed to through commercial traffic,” said Dickie. Once this latest public consultation period closes, consultants will put together a final plan that will be brought forward to council for approval. Lake Country mayor James Baker said it’s a slow process but it’s important to make sure the residents of Lake Country have a proper say. “I think this is a good
process,” said Baker. “The more the community information we can get the better. We would rather spend the time and budget on getting a good plan and then we will have to go after ways of getting funding once we have a concrete plan.” It’s still unknown when the district will be asked to approve the concept plan although council is expected to get a look at the final concept plan in the next few months.
HIGHWAY 97 BYPASS
tions for the road, paths, parking, greening, recreation sites and amenities for the road along the west shore of Wood Lake. Public comments can be made until Tuesday, Oct. 8 through the district’s web site at http://
www.okanaganway.ca/ pelmewash-parkway/. Here are a few things residents are being asked to comment on and some options.
way traffic along Pelmewash Parkway, as follows: • Two-lane road with a centre line (7.2 m wide) at the north and south ends, plus • Narrow two-lane road (6 m wide) for 1.2 km through the centre portion; and
ROAD
Reduce the width of the road, retaining two-
Signage along the Highway 97 bypass remains an issue for residents and businesses operating in Oyama. New route change information signs will be put up by the province that will direct travelers to Oyama and Evans Road from the new highway but Dickie said it’s still creating confusion. “There seems to be some resistance from numerous people to
indicate Oyama as a particular location,” he said. “There is some justification for that. Then you would need to put up signs for the rest of the wards which might not be a bad thing. We are a community of four very diverse communities which is probably one of our strengths.” In the meantime, council has directed staff to develop an overall sign policy for the district. newsroom@lakecountrynews.net
• Commuter cyclists will be able to use this road due to the slow traffic speed (50 km/h) and low volume
PATHS
• Provide a lakeside
SEE DESIGN A3