Community Opinion

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Consultation has concluded

How do you want to fund the Skaha Marina improvements? Get ready to vote.

At the upcoming by-election, you will have the opportunity to vote for a candidate running for Council, plus you will be asked to give your opinion on an important community topic. The ballot will include a question asking citizens if they support the City selecting a private operator and entering into a long-term agreement of up to 25 years in order to fund the marina improvements and provide marina services at Skaha Lake Park. The City has put together the following information to help you learn more about this topic and form your opinion.

How do I participate?

There are several opportunities to learn more and ask questions to help you form your opinion. If you would like to speak to staff, check out Key Dates for the events that are planned. If you prefer to review materials, go to More Information for a Community Opinion Handout and a copy of the Skaha Lake Park East Plan which describes the recommendations for the marina. You can also share your views with the community in the Forum below or submit a Question to staff. The election is expected mid-June. Watch for announcements about the polls once the dates are confirmed.


How do you want to fund the Skaha Marina improvements? Get ready to vote.

At the upcoming by-election, you will have the opportunity to vote for a candidate running for Council, plus you will be asked to give your opinion on an important community topic. The ballot will include a question asking citizens if they support the City selecting a private operator and entering into a long-term agreement of up to 25 years in order to fund the marina improvements and provide marina services at Skaha Lake Park. The City has put together the following information to help you learn more about this topic and form your opinion.

How do I participate?

There are several opportunities to learn more and ask questions to help you form your opinion. If you would like to speak to staff, check out Key Dates for the events that are planned. If you prefer to review materials, go to More Information for a Community Opinion Handout and a copy of the Skaha Lake Park East Plan which describes the recommendations for the marina. You can also share your views with the community in the Forum below or submit a Question to staff. The election is expected mid-June. Watch for announcements about the polls once the dates are confirmed.


Consultation has concluded

Submit your question here. Staff will aim to respond within 48 hours.

  • Share Why was there not more information on this plan before the question was put on the ballot? People were asked to vote on a plan that wasn't fully explained to residents before the election. on Facebook Share Why was there not more information on this plan before the question was put on the ballot? People were asked to vote on a plan that wasn't fully explained to residents before the election. on Twitter Share Why was there not more information on this plan before the question was put on the ballot? People were asked to vote on a plan that wasn't fully explained to residents before the election. on Linkedin Email Why was there not more information on this plan before the question was put on the ballot? People were asked to vote on a plan that wasn't fully explained to residents before the election. link

    Why was there not more information on this plan before the question was put on the ballot? People were asked to vote on a plan that wasn't fully explained to residents before the election.

    Lorig asked almost 3 years ago

    Thanks for your question Lori. This funding option was introduced as part of the process to develop the Skaha Lake Park East Plan. Anyone who participated in that two-year process would be aware of it. Additionally, once the plan was approved and the decision was made in a public Council meeting to seek a community mandate through the by-election for the funding option, staff implemented a communication plan that ran for a full month in advance of the by-election. As part of this plan, a two-page summary was produced and made available online and in print. The two page summary was published in the newspapers and distributed through the shapeyourcitypenticton.ca. Staff also hosted in-person pop-ups on each of the lakeshores, multiple online presentations and Q&A sessions. Online sessions were recorded and are available to view. All of the questions generated by the public input sessions were also published and distributed. These activities were heavily promoted on social media and in the newspapers. I appreciate that now that the by-election is upon us, there are some people who may just be learning about this initiative as the majority of the attention in the media has been on the candidates and not the community opinion question. Materials were also made available at the polls in consideration of this situation. 

  • Share Is the Okanagan Marina leased to a Private operator? If so is it the same operator as the Skaha Marina? What is the length of that lease? on Facebook Share Is the Okanagan Marina leased to a Private operator? If so is it the same operator as the Skaha Marina? What is the length of that lease? on Twitter Share Is the Okanagan Marina leased to a Private operator? If so is it the same operator as the Skaha Marina? What is the length of that lease? on Linkedin Email Is the Okanagan Marina leased to a Private operator? If so is it the same operator as the Skaha Marina? What is the length of that lease? link

    Is the Okanagan Marina leased to a Private operator? If so is it the same operator as the Skaha Marina? What is the length of that lease?

    ANGELAC asked almost 3 years ago

    Hi there, Thank you for your question. The City has a sub-lease with the Penticton Yacht Club (a not-for-profit society) for the Okanagan Lake Marina. The term began in 2019 and runs until 2023 with a two-year renewal option. 

  • Share How is the process of short listing or awarding the potential long term lease contract any different from the gong show of the Trio Marine Group and how much the city had to pay to get out of that contract? on Facebook Share How is the process of short listing or awarding the potential long term lease contract any different from the gong show of the Trio Marine Group and how much the city had to pay to get out of that contract? on Twitter Share How is the process of short listing or awarding the potential long term lease contract any different from the gong show of the Trio Marine Group and how much the city had to pay to get out of that contract? on Linkedin Email How is the process of short listing or awarding the potential long term lease contract any different from the gong show of the Trio Marine Group and how much the city had to pay to get out of that contract? link

    How is the process of short listing or awarding the potential long term lease contract any different from the gong show of the Trio Marine Group and how much the city had to pay to get out of that contract?

    Danielg asked almost 3 years ago

    The City entered into an agreement with Trio in a closed meeting without any input from the community. In this situation, the community has been and will be heavily involved throughout the process beginning with the creation of the Skaha Lake Park East Plan. The City is now seeking a community mandate to enter into a long-term agreement before it seeks proposals. The City also plans to conduct a public process involving the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee to gather feedback on the proposed terms and the agreement before it is entered into. One of the advantages of the type of agreement proposed is that the City retains public ownership which reduces the risk of expensive buy-outs if the arrangement is not successful. 

  • Share Hi folks - can you please clarify the public review of the proposals. I understand senior staff and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, plus others as required, will review the proposals. Will the community be given the chance to review or have detailed info about the submissions? Oak Bay recently sought proposals for their waterfront marina redevelopment. It was a wonderful process with the public being given a full look at the proposals and assurances "..ensuring the district sees revenue potential proportional to the high value of the property." https://www.vicnews.com/news/oak-bay-selects-proponent-for-transformation-of-turkey-head-marina/ on Facebook Share Hi folks - can you please clarify the public review of the proposals. I understand senior staff and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, plus others as required, will review the proposals. Will the community be given the chance to review or have detailed info about the submissions? Oak Bay recently sought proposals for their waterfront marina redevelopment. It was a wonderful process with the public being given a full look at the proposals and assurances "..ensuring the district sees revenue potential proportional to the high value of the property." https://www.vicnews.com/news/oak-bay-selects-proponent-for-transformation-of-turkey-head-marina/ on Twitter Share Hi folks - can you please clarify the public review of the proposals. I understand senior staff and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, plus others as required, will review the proposals. Will the community be given the chance to review or have detailed info about the submissions? Oak Bay recently sought proposals for their waterfront marina redevelopment. It was a wonderful process with the public being given a full look at the proposals and assurances "..ensuring the district sees revenue potential proportional to the high value of the property." https://www.vicnews.com/news/oak-bay-selects-proponent-for-transformation-of-turkey-head-marina/ on Linkedin Email Hi folks - can you please clarify the public review of the proposals. I understand senior staff and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, plus others as required, will review the proposals. Will the community be given the chance to review or have detailed info about the submissions? Oak Bay recently sought proposals for their waterfront marina redevelopment. It was a wonderful process with the public being given a full look at the proposals and assurances "..ensuring the district sees revenue potential proportional to the high value of the property." https://www.vicnews.com/news/oak-bay-selects-proponent-for-transformation-of-turkey-head-marina/ link

    Hi folks - can you please clarify the public review of the proposals. I understand senior staff and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, plus others as required, will review the proposals. Will the community be given the chance to review or have detailed info about the submissions? Oak Bay recently sought proposals for their waterfront marina redevelopment. It was a wonderful process with the public being given a full look at the proposals and assurances "..ensuring the district sees revenue potential proportional to the high value of the property." https://www.vicnews.com/news/oak-bay-selects-proponent-for-transformation-of-turkey-head-marina/

    Wastewar asked almost 3 years ago

    Hi there, Thank you for your question. That is very interesting. I will share that link with staff to consider.

  • Share Why is the city asking for a 25 year lease for the marina and denying a 20 year lease to Coyote cruises? In my humble opinion both are equally important to Penticton. on Facebook Share Why is the city asking for a 25 year lease for the marina and denying a 20 year lease to Coyote cruises? In my humble opinion both are equally important to Penticton. on Twitter Share Why is the city asking for a 25 year lease for the marina and denying a 20 year lease to Coyote cruises? In my humble opinion both are equally important to Penticton. on Linkedin Email Why is the city asking for a 25 year lease for the marina and denying a 20 year lease to Coyote cruises? In my humble opinion both are equally important to Penticton. link

    Why is the city asking for a 25 year lease for the marina and denying a 20 year lease to Coyote cruises? In my humble opinion both are equally important to Penticton.

    Dont think I have one. asked almost 3 years ago

    Thank you for this question. Just to clarify, the City is not asking for approval to enter into a 25-year lease with the marina operator. The City is asking if there is support to identify an operator and enter into a Management Operating Agreement of up to 25 years. If successful, the City will then go through a competitive public process to identify an interested and qualified party and begin negotiations. 

    The City first learned of this type of agreement through the recent Skaha Lake Park East Plan process. Before this process, the City was only aware of two agreement options for businesses seeking to operate in City parks - short-term license and long-term lease. Given the community's concern about the loss of public ownership of park land associated with leases, they are discouraged and the City has a strict policy for considering requests. 

    A Management Operating Agreement allows the City to retain ownership over the land but gives businesses the long-term certainty they require to make an investment. Through the Community Opinion question on the by-election ballot, the City will learn if there is support for this type of long-term arrangement for the marina. 

  • Share What is the City's process to review the proposals if there is support from the community? on Facebook Share What is the City's process to review the proposals if there is support from the community? on Twitter Share What is the City's process to review the proposals if there is support from the community? on Linkedin Email What is the City's process to review the proposals if there is support from the community? link

    What is the City's process to review the proposals if there is support from the community?

    almost 3 years ago

    The City will confirm the process to receive proposals once it is determined there is support from the community to take the next step. Some of the steps that are being considered are provided below:

    - The City may consider seeking an Expression of Interest to shortlist qualified candidates before going through the RFP process. 

    - A team of senior City employees and members of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and other appropriate committees would likely be assembled to review submissions. 

    - The RFP and the draft agreement will also both be reviewed publicly as part of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee process before Council considers entering into the agreement.  

  • Share Can the Management Agreement company do as they please like having a licensed premise which the community does not want plus other changes that we as the community have opposition. After reading the the material below it looks as if it will be a free for all for the Agreement. Will the public also have available to them to see the company’s or organization who submit a bid? on Facebook Share Can the Management Agreement company do as they please like having a licensed premise which the community does not want plus other changes that we as the community have opposition. After reading the the material below it looks as if it will be a free for all for the Agreement. Will the public also have available to them to see the company’s or organization who submit a bid? on Twitter Share Can the Management Agreement company do as they please like having a licensed premise which the community does not want plus other changes that we as the community have opposition. After reading the the material below it looks as if it will be a free for all for the Agreement. Will the public also have available to them to see the company’s or organization who submit a bid? on Linkedin Email Can the Management Agreement company do as they please like having a licensed premise which the community does not want plus other changes that we as the community have opposition. After reading the the material below it looks as if it will be a free for all for the Agreement. Will the public also have available to them to see the company’s or organization who submit a bid? link

    Can the Management Agreement company do as they please like having a licensed premise which the community does not want plus other changes that we as the community have opposition. After reading the the material below it looks as if it will be a free for all for the Agreement. Will the public also have available to them to see the company’s or organization who submit a bid?

    Nancy York asked almost 3 years ago

    Sorry that I did not see your question sooner. A few comments. Through the process to develop the Skaha Lake Park East Plan, many citizens expressed their support for a licensed restaurant as well as the other recommendations in the plan. We understand that this may not be the preference of everyone. For your convenience, the charts summarizing the feedback received are provided below. 

    In terms of the agreement, the City will fully develop the terms of the agreement as well as the process for reviewing proposals if there is support from the community to take the next step. Preliminary terms have been provided for the information of the community. The RFP and the draft agreement will also both be reviewed publicly as part of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee process before Council considers entering into the agreement. The responses to the EOI/RFP are public information but typically must be formally requested as they contain proprietary information that would need to be reviewed and redacted before the documents could be released. 

  • Share Are improvements to the splash pad and boathouse included in the Skaha Lake Park East Plan? on Facebook Share Are improvements to the splash pad and boathouse included in the Skaha Lake Park East Plan? on Twitter Share Are improvements to the splash pad and boathouse included in the Skaha Lake Park East Plan? on Linkedin Email Are improvements to the splash pad and boathouse included in the Skaha Lake Park East Plan? link

    Are improvements to the splash pad and boathouse included in the Skaha Lake Park East Plan?

    almost 3 years ago

    The Skaha Lake Park East Plan includes recommendations to replace the splash pad and the boathouse.

  • Share With the apartment on South main and the proposed homeless housing on Skaha , how does the city plan on handling that extra strain on the park? Green space will be at a premium, how is the city going to protect that? on Facebook Share With the apartment on South main and the proposed homeless housing on Skaha , how does the city plan on handling that extra strain on the park? Green space will be at a premium, how is the city going to protect that? on Twitter Share With the apartment on South main and the proposed homeless housing on Skaha , how does the city plan on handling that extra strain on the park? Green space will be at a premium, how is the city going to protect that? on Linkedin Email With the apartment on South main and the proposed homeless housing on Skaha , how does the city plan on handling that extra strain on the park? Green space will be at a premium, how is the city going to protect that? link

    With the apartment on South main and the proposed homeless housing on Skaha , how does the city plan on handling that extra strain on the park? Green space will be at a premium, how is the city going to protect that?

    almost 3 years ago

    The park is almost 40 acres. We are not anticipating the added population will strain the park. Parks staff will monitor the condition of the park as they do today.

  • Share Would the private operator be bound to the $1.5 million vision of the city or could they propose something more grand? on Facebook Share Would the private operator be bound to the $1.5 million vision of the city or could they propose something more grand? on Twitter Share Would the private operator be bound to the $1.5 million vision of the city or could they propose something more grand? on Linkedin Email Would the private operator be bound to the $1.5 million vision of the city or could they propose something more grand? link

    Would the private operator be bound to the $1.5 million vision of the city or could they propose something more grand?

    almost 3 years ago

    The City has estimated that the marina needs $1.5 million in investment to continue operations as they are today. An operator would be welcome to propose a greater investment as long as it is within the set terms such as the desired services, the footprint of the current license, and the maximum length of the agreement.