Dear Editor:
There have been several changes at the boat launch owned and operated by the Town of Osoyoos this summer.
The brand new public boat launch looks great and with a new public dock, great seasonal boat slips and new public washrooms under construction, it is a welcome addition to the town.
However, the actual function of the boat and trailer parking is not only totally inadequate, it is causing unwarranted tension, anxiety and confusion for local residents and, particularly, tourists who spend a lot of money and time to use their boats a few times each year.
The old parking site at the boat launch was made out of old gravel, but upwards of 30 to 40 boat trailers and vehicles could park there, which was absolutely needed on the summer weekends and long weekends.
There are now only 11 designated parking places for trailers.
There is a town bylaw in Osoyoos that makes parking your boat and trailer on the streets illegal.
Apparently, the only alternative is to park your boat and trailer halfway across town in the designated boat trailer parking lot.
This is obviously not an option for day use.
Unless this glaring oversight is resolved, the Town of Osoyoos is destined to lose significant tourism dollars, which is unfortunate.
Thank for for allowing me to express this.
Rob and
Karin Horton
Coquitlam, B.C.
