OSOYOOS IS UNDERGOING SOME GLITZY CHANGES IN ITS CHARACTER
(OSOYOOS TIMES — Nov. 22, 2006) —
One hardly needs reminding that Osoyoos is changing. A person just has to look at the rapidly multiplying resort complexes to see it.
But if more proof was wanted, you just had to drop into the gala opening of the PassaTempo Restaurant at the new Spirit Ridge resort on the Osoyoos Indian Band reserve on the east edge of town.
More than 150 people were jammed into the posh space for a glitzy opening that looked more like it belonged in downtown Toronto or Vancouver.
The party came complete with TV stars, Entertainment Tonight cameras and reporters, and a host of local leaders in politics and business.
But what really struck some was the age of the crowd. It was young, and the throng seemed to be celebrating the fact that there are starting to be more places to go and things to do in Osoyoos.
Whether one likes it or not, the complexion of town is changing, and it will continue to do so, likely at an accelerating rate.
With the recent paving of the local runway, more plans to develop the airport, and promotion of wine- and golf-based 'destination tourism', we can expect corporate jets and an increasing stream of upscale visitors in our midst.
Change is inevitable, and change can be exciting. Can we make sure these developments are positive?
