Dave Preston
District council voted Tuesday to ask the province to put the brakes on a zipline adventure project that could employ 15 people and attract 8,000 visitors through Peachland annually.
Zipzone Adventures Ltd. has applied through Front Counter B.C. to use a parcel of Crown land to construct and operate seven zip lines near the intersection of Brenda Mine and Headwaters Roads. The District of Peachland received a referral for the project, along with an environmental report.
“We found this report done completely unsatisfactorily,” said Dave Smith, director of planning and development services. “We found it totally insufficient.”
Coun. Terry Condon said he toured the site with operator Kevin Bennett. “He seems to think that everything he has done has met the terms of adequacy,” said Condon.
“We are the stewards of the watershed,” said Condon, who told council that he told Bennett, “A properly developed zipline out there would get the support of council.”
“I think it’s a great potential for the area,” said Coun. Peter Schierbeck, who also toured the site. “I’m very concerned about the environmental side.”
CAO Elsie Lemke said staff’s opinion was that the environmental report submitted by Bennett concentrated mostly on construction of the park and did not address ongoing environmental concerns in the watershed.
Condon noted Bennett has received a letter from the Interior Health Authority, but it deals with things such as food preparation on site and not the impact of the project on the watershed.
Council voted to have the mayor write the regional district and Front Counter BC, requesting that any decision on the project be suspended until all of Peachland’s concerns are met.
One of the top issues mandated by the district is that a full environmental assessment be conducted by a Qualified Environmental Professional.
Bennett said in a telephone interview today that it was the district that told him the environmental report should be conducted by a QEP. He said he has gone back to his consultant, who will ensure that the district’s concerns are addressed.
“We are operating in the watershed and the district is right to be concerned that we’re not going to do anything to adversely affect the water supply,” said Bennett.
“It will be a world class facility,” said Bennett. “Everything will be absolutely top notch.”
Bennett confirmed that he has an offer for a license of occupation for the zipline site. He also said, while he understands the district’s concerns, it is frustrating at times dealing with the district.
“It is sometimes a little frustrating that the district seems a little unhelpful and a little quick to say no,” said Bennett.
The zip line promoter said a similar project was recently proposed in Lake Country and that municipality dealt with the application quite differently than Peachland.
The Lake Country proposal, which could see a similar operation to Bennett’s built in Oyama, received a yes from that municipality right away, subject to appropriate reports being submitted, said Bennett. In Peachland, council voted to not support the local project right away, while adding stipulations for reports to be submitted, should the project be approved by Front Counter BC.
In short, Lake Country said yes, and reports are needed, while Peachland said no, and reports are needed.
Bennett said his business plan calls for up to 8,000 visitors to use the adventure park next year, which averages about 40 to 50 people per day.
“We will be co-marketing with other Peachland businesses,” said Bennett, who noted up to 15 people will be employed by his business.
- Excited
- Informed
- Amused
- Bored
- Sad
- Angry
Just because someone has the smarts to cross all the t’s and dot all the i’s without council’s help usually means they have to throw a temper tantrum. I will never bring my business anywhere near this town. Kelowna is very accomodating and in touch with reality. I am dreaming of the day when we vote their sorry asses out. After reading this story, I feel sickened knowing how this council is really tearing this town apart. They have no respect for the people of this community or themselves. This selfish hoard should do as Ernie did. Sure I would think even less of them even now, but too bad. Why isn’t council trying to accomodate this honest business man and helping to promote this community. I’m just wondering who is the scoundrel who is planting the seeds of dissent amongst this council. Miss Broadaway, please help us out. Hey Dave, what is the possibility of doing an interview with our newest council member and asking some very candid questions? council… you make alot of people sick!
Wow Mr. Mayor
You hit the nail on the head to day.
I like Mr. Bennett’s attitude, he sure is open to letting us all know what is going on. I will not tell him how to run his business, I think he has a good business plan and should stick to it. I think others should think the same way, let someone succeed or fail all on their own, this isn’t a municipal project that we need to find out the business model or see how things are going to be run. As a matter of fact, it isn’t even within the boundaries of Peachland. The fact that Mr. Bennett actually associates himself with Peachland should be takes as good news for all tourist orientated businesses in town, as there will be another thing to draw people to their business.
The question for staff is, how far does someone have to be out of town before you leave them alone. I know we should be concerned about our watershed, but logging by Peachland lake I’m sure has more of an impact than someone flying across the creek, hundreds of feet above it.
As for the suggestions of cutting staff, perhaps some inside staff positions should be looked at, management definitely needs an attitude improvement for no other reason than saving us a lawsuit but if one is needed, to simply make staff-management relations better, perhaps we would get better service from the front line staff if management wasn’t always down their necks about one thing or the other. i believe a happy work place produces a more productive workplace.
Enough said.
Very True, Alley Racer!
but it’s the amounts of half truths/twisted truths that make it an unfair playing field for the person that the “truth teller” is letting out ‘truths’ about.
Don’t you think???
The only thing that is constant in this playing field is you have a connection to something it will be to your advantage to lay low and ride under the radar.
Things seem to happen in misterious ways, the truth will not always set you free in politics.
“2- thumbs-up” pjp71!
Actually that is the only thing that I am on here for, also. To uncover some of what needs to be said to get the whole truth…s!
There is the truth and then there is the amount of truth that you need to know.
Is there ever a time when anyone gets the whole truth?
Re:”It sounds to me like pjp71 might be from the municipal staff” . No I am not on the municipal staff but I am glad that Kevin Benett has come out and stated why he wants an operations manager to invest $100,000. He also states on the Craigs List ad that he plans to pay the operations manager 60-80k per year. I personally like to see a well written article by Dave Preston, interviewing, Bennett, Mayor Fielding and everyone else in this proposal. My original post has brought out a lot of new information, and there is probably a lot more about the proposal from both sides that should be aired.
If I was younger I would gladly invest the $100,000 and become the operations manager.
I justed wanted to add that any readers interested in investing $10,000 or more should please contact me at Kevin.Bennett@ZipZone.ca.