Project consultants from GDH Solutions are working on the Major Lakes Recreational Marine Facilities Study for the Central Okanagan Regional District. The study is there to help build a blueprint for future of Boating in the Okanagan, which had 3 main objectives; to complete an inventory of current facilities and project future demand; to create a comprehensive 20 year plan and implementation strategy; and, to identify and evaluate organizational structures for service delivery.

There are two major motivators for the implementation:

• The quality of life in the region for current and future residents. One in four households owns a boat, and many people are drawn to the Okanagan for boating opportunities. There is good support for government investment for marine recreational facilities, and two thirds of those surveyed believe that the government should invest in marine facilities right now.
• The economic impact of boating. The economic impact of boating in the central Okanagan is $39M. The annual economic impact of boating could be raised from $39M to $68.7M. The economic impact will decline from current levels if the issues of access, services, moorage and boat storage are not addressed.

Boating in the Okanagan project manager Bob Sugden and Doris Haas of GDH Solutions held an open house for the Major Lakes Recreational Marine Facilities Study, which was at the Grand Lakefront Resort on September 18/08 for an information session as well as to get public option and feedback for the 20 year blueprint. Although GDH Solutions held an excellent presentation for our recreational marine future. There was resistance from the crowd that attended, which thought that the recommendations made were minimal. Most people that attended where employed in the marine industry. Nevertheless, in my humble opinion I think that the blueprint is positive for our region to move the boating industry and us in the right direction. In conclusion I would like to thank Bob Sugden of Boating in the Okanagan for providing this vital opportunity for the Regional District of the Central Okanagan.

Update:

The Regional District has contracted the team of GHD Solutions, JF Group and Summit Environmental for a consulting services contract for preparation of a Recreation Marine Facilities Study of the three major lakes in the Central Okanagan.

The Regional Board has received a detailed final report from the consulting team that has been studying recreational marine facilities on Okanagan, Kalamalka and Wood lakes within the Central Okanagan.

The study was developed through extensive public and stakeholder consultation and research.  The final report makes a number of recommendations regarding present and future amenities for the boating and marine community in the Central Okanagan.

The Board has recommended that the final report be sent to member municipalities for their consideration and response in light of possible financial implications.

http://www.regionaldistrict.com/departments/parks/regional/reg_parks_planinit.aspx#Marine