Dear Mayor and Council:
Upon reading the information provided on the City of Kelowna web site regarding the sale of land and new enhanced parking at Gyro beach, I would ask that you do not sell the property at 3326 Lakeshore road.
The graphics and ideas of closing Watt road and making everything more smooth and accessible is a good decision, but rather than sell this amazing property, why not create it in the same frame as even more parking but for those with campers or trailers (large vehicles) that enjoy the waterfront in the summer and winter months. Even additional regular parking stalls would be appreciated especially considering the closure of the mini parking lot where the recreational space is proposed.
Our previous councils bought this and other properties for their strategic placement and it would be a shame to get rid of it when it is so much more necessary now as our city population and tourism demand is increasing dramatically.
When I travel, I avoid crowded, over-full destinations in favour of sensible accommodating attractions as well as businesses. Go to Disneyland, Universal Studios, Sea World, Mount Rushmore, any Outlet Mall in North America, Las Vegas etc. The one thing they all have in common is abundant parking to welcome their visitors that want to visit and spend money. They even offer it for free or a very nominal charge in order to encourage longer stays which translates into more money being spent at the various businesses.
As a resident and not as a tourist, I have been subjected to driving around and around, watching in hopes that someone is heading to their car in order to get a space. Often I had a car full of children and all the accessories needed for a day at the beach, and being disappointed or forced to park down Richter street or worse, along Lakeshore, I kept thinking ‘why wouldn’t the city have more parking here?’
We own a 5 million dollar property that is very valuable to whatever developer has his eye on it, but it belongs to us, the citizens of Kelowna. I vote to keep the property and create more parking.
Thank you for your commitment to our city,
Krista Krohn, Kelowna