A number of sailors and boaters could be found on Osoyoos Lake this past weekend after temperatures soared into the high twenties. Around town, hotels, motels and campsites are preparing for an influx of tourists as we head towards the May long weekend. Photo by Mathew White.
After months of suffering through deep chills and frigid weather, May long weekend is considered by many as the official start to summer.
Here in the Town of Osoyoos, the weekend takes on a whole new meaning as it not only marks the start of summer, but also the start of tourist season, which leaves Osoyoos bursting at the seams all the way through until September.
“This is when we have to be ready,” said Ron Stephens, president of the Osoyoos Hotel/Motel Association. “You have to have your places ready because May long weekend is a really great weekend to get underway. It’s a really good time to be ready, and from that point on, you really don’t have a lot of down time because people are coming through and they just keep on coming.”
“As far as tourists go, that’s the big one.”
This year the statutory holiday falls on May 21, and with less than a week to go, Stephens said he’s already making the proper arrangements at the Safari Beach Resort for the spike in customers.
While he always prepares for the boost in tourists, it all really boils down to the weather (the Weather Network is forecasting daytime high temperatures in the mid-twenties for the long weekend), he said.
“The weather right now looks like it’s going to be really good, so I’m expecting an almost totally full weekend,” said Stephens.
Over at the Haynes Point campgrounds, Steve Manke, supervisor with Kaloya contracting, said he too expects a full house come May long weekend.
“May long weekend sort of kicks off the camping season throughout all the parks in the province and it’s certainly one where we expect to be full,” said Manke.
Manke said a little known fact about Haynes Point is it’s actually, on a per campsite basis, the busiest park in the province.
Anyone wanting to stay there throughout the summer would be wise to book months in advance, he said.
For those late comers or spur-of-the-moment campers, there is an overflow lot with about 25 spaces for self-contained RVs (the overflow lot is not open to those with tents), said Manke.
In many other parts of the country, May long weekend is notorious for drunk driving and other alcohol- related injuries or fatalities.
The weekend has become so synonymous with alcohol that many police forces really bump up traffic stops and other preventative measures.
In Osoyoos, however, Cpl. Jason Bayda said it’s really not so bad as far as liquor-related accidents are concerned.
“We’re prepared for the worst, but not expecting much to happen,” said Bayda. “I’m sure the local businesses probably notice an influx with people and stuff … but for us, July long weekend is the busy one.”
Unlike many other parts of the country, Bayda said in Osoyoos there really isn’t that big of a jump in drunk driving or boating accidents as is seen in many other areas.
Like Stephens, Bayda said the weather plays a major part in whether or not Osoyoos will see a boost of tourists.
“The major concern for the RCMP when it comes to May long weekend is the potential influx of people,” said Bayda. “The last couple years, due to the weather, it hasn’t actually been much different than any other weekend, but we know in previous years, if it’s been nice, people do sometimes go out camping, which brings people to town. But it honestly hasn’t been a difficult weekend for us.”
Bayda said because this weekend doesn’t result in the same havoc seen in many other parts of the country, the local RCMP don’t actually have any “special” activities planned.
There will be a minor restriction placed on officers’ vacation time and a few extra members will be on hand in case of an emergency, but other than that, it’s business as normal.
“We want to make sure we have enough members to call on in case something happens,” said Bayda.
While most cities are focused on drinking and driving, Bayda said the main problem in Osoyoos is actually people drinking in public, particularly on the beaches.
“Obviously with more people in town, you get a little more drinking in public,” said Bayda.
Bayda also said there tends to be a bit more drinking on the lake, and while they don’t have any boat patrols scheduled for the weekend, the police boat’s new spot in the Osoyoos Marina by Lions Park ensures a quick response time in case of an emergency. Bayda said he would also like to remind everyone that drinking is not permitted in public, including the town beaches, and all those breaking the law could potentially have their liquor seized and face possible fines. Finally, as far as road blocks are concerned, Bayda said with Osoyoos being a small town they are limited on resources, but members are encouraged to perform road blocks whenever possible and he does expect to see the odd one here or there. The RCMP would also like to remind the public that with more people in town it is important to keep an extra eye and ear out for pedestrians.
