Gallagher Lake business owners and residents discuss safety concerns on Highway 97 and how to get the regional district and Ministry of Transportation to take responsibility for the hazards.
Lyonel Doherty photo
One Gallagher Lake businessman continues to stick to his guns in opposing the neighbourhood’s new water/sewer project.
Scot Hutchinson still maintains that his well water is fine.
“They (regional district) are trying to stuff this water and sewer down our throats, whether we like it or not.”
The water/sewer infrastructure (along Gallagher Lake Frontage Road) is part of an expansion project for Deer Park Estates. Businesses and residents are being invited to hook up to the new system (for a cost that hasn’t been determined yet).
“We don’t want chlorinated water; we want natural water,” Hutchinson said.
The businessman recently attended an open house to discuss the creation of a new Official Community Plan. The update recognizes recent changes in the area, including the introduction of a sanitary sewer and water system from the Osoyoos Indian Band, and the construction of the new correctional centre. This will contribute to greater development opportunities and commerce in the area, according to regional officials.
Recently, a new citizens committee was formed as a sounding board for the community.
Hutchinson questioned why members of this committee were appointed as opposed to elected.
He noted the new street lights have made a big difference to safety, but a crosswalk is still needed for pedestrians navigating the highway, he pointed out.
Hutchinson said he will be moving out of the area because the regional district is making it difficult to live here.
Thor Manson, vice-chair of the citizens committee, is less critical of the regional district, saying it is engaging in a consultative process. “Hopefully, they will use the input they get from citizens to inform their policy making decisions.”
Manson said Country Pines home park, where he lives, operates on drawing water from an aquifer, and every two units in the park share a septic system.
“The drinking water is tested weekly by Interior Health, and is very high quality, as is the water in Gallagher Lake.”
Manson said the owners/managers of the park have a defined set of policies for pumping out the septics.
“A recent test of a septic field here showed no problems, and the existing system has years of serviceable use left.”
Manson said when you consider the “astronomical” costs of installing a sewer system in a treed park like Country Pines, one wonders what the reasoning would be for doing so.
As far as highway safety is concerned, Manson said the straightaway that runs through the Gallagher Lake area is also a definite concern.
“Very few people stick to the speed limit, and enforcement of the speed limit is basically non-existent.”
He noted that the Ministry of Transportation’s priority is to get traffic through the area as quickly and as efficiently as possible.
“But with the continuing residential development in the area, eventually there will have to be something done to accommodate the fact that pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicles all have to share the road.”
Manson said some kind of controlled pedestrian crossing is inevitable.
“Hopefully it won’t take a serious injury or a fatality to emphasize this point.”
Donna Butler, the regional district’s development services manager, said the whole focus of the project is on future land use and character of the Gallagher Lake community, and how its amenities can be improved.
While hooking up all of the area to community sewer and water is a long-term goal, this plan does not get into specifics of actual timing and costs.
“We understand that there are concerns about the cost of services for some areas, and are asking residents for additional input on a wide range of community development issues, such as residential development, commercial land uses, beautification, parks and trails.”
Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
