Photo: Kate Bouey
An about-face by Vernon council has failed to appease some business owners who fear the consequences of closing the southern portion of Kalamalka Lake Road for road construction during the busy summer tourist season.
In a lengthy and sometimes heated debate on Monday, council rejected its earlier plan for a long construction period involving single lane, alternating traffic during the major, $3 million road overhaul.
Council has instead opted for a much shorter construction period, between nine to 12 weeks, that will involve a full road closure but shave three weeks off the time frame.
The decision will cost the city an additional $175,000 to $250,000, according to estimates supplied by staff, and extend the working day from ten hours to 12-14 hours, six days a week.
Staff stressed there would be continual vehicle access to the Alpine Centre during the closure.
“This is not an easy decision,” Coun. Catherine Lord said to the chamber packed full of business people.
Lord spent two days last week talking to business owners and managers at the Alpine Centre and stated that a majority wanted the shorter construction period.
Coun. Scott Anderson was the lone voice against the move.
“You’re taking the worst option,” Anderson insisted, complaining that the additional money would be better spent on single-lane access down the road.
Both Mayor Akbal Mund and Coun. Juliette Cunningham rejected Anderson’s argument that the area was mainly semi-industrial and 24/7 hours construction hours should apply.
“There are a hell of lot of residents there and we have to take that into account,” said Mund.
“The residents have to be considered,” Cunninhgam said, accusing Anderson of exaggeration and showmanship.
While business representatives could not speak at the meeting, they were vocal once they left city hall.
“It’s terrible,” said Dave Straughan of Uncle Dave’s Pizza. “I believe they should shut it down, forget the project and start again in February. You are too far into the season now.
“In the summer time I depend on tourists to get me through the season. We’ll have to see what happens.”
“Put it off until next year,” said Daryl Carlyle of Unique Garden Art and Gift. “We depend on tourism.”
The project has gone to tender and bids are expected to be in by Mar. 30.
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