A petition is looking for support to pave Camp McKinney Road from Oliver to Mount Baldy Ski Area.
On Monday Oliver Town council agreed to write a letter of support to the Ministry of Transportation to consider the request.
In a letter to council, Mount Baldy Strata president Michael Fenwick-Wilson indicated the resort is the only ski area in the Okanagan that is not serviced by a paved road.
“More than 200 vehicles travel the road every day in the winter and 145 lot and cabin owners use the road frequently all year round.”
Fenwick-Wilson noted there are plans to expand Mount Baldy to a four-season resort. In addition, work will begin on a 24-unit cabin rental complex as soon as weather conditions allow, he pointed out.
“Additionally, a private developer is planning to complete a 16-unit condominium complex within the village,” he stated.
Fenwick-Wilson explained that the road to Baldy is paved from Oliver to kilometre 14 on Camp McKinney Road. The remaining 21 kilometres is gravel.
During the spring thaw the road is muddy, dangerous and full of potholes, often washed out and under water in some parts, he said.
“People who visit the ski area in March, a prime ski month, have been heard to vow they will never come back until the road is paved.”
Fenwick-Wilson said the road sees further deterioration in the summer and fall due to logging truck traffic.
“Each year, usually in the fall, a major rebuilding is needed to bring the road back to a decent condition.”
He noted that a paved road is needed to guarantee the success of the mountain and future developments.
Town Councillor Larry Schwartzenberger said it would be a benefit to have the road paved all the way to the resort.
Fellow Councillor Maureen Doerr agreed, saying she would “love to see it paved.”
LYONEL DOHERTY
Special to the Times
