To the editor:
As a long time resident of Kelowna, I have ongoing concerns about the building size and more importantly the location of the proposed Kelowna VisitorsCentre. Even though the proposed buildings size has been reduced, it is still too large and should not be on the waterfront. Large Visitor Centres are athing of the past since the dramatic rise of the internet. Most people use the internet to plan their vacations in advance or while on the road. Theycertainly do not drive through a downtown, especially if they are driving a large RV, seeking out a Visitors Centre.
Certainly, no one rates the quality of a visitors centre by it’s views, whereas the residents of Kelowna do value and cherish our public waterfront viewingand green space tremendously. The waterfront belongs to all of us and not a select few, and permanent buildings should not be part of a community-focused waterfront.
Simply put, the proposal to locate the Visitors Centre on the waterfront is ill conceived.
If residents don’t speak up, this development will be pushed through by more vocal special interest groups and another irreplaceable piece of thewaterfront will be gone. We must preserve it now and for future generations.
C. Sprecher, Kelowna