It’s looking less and less likely that there will be an inflatable Wibit waterpark in Osoyoos this year.
Okanagan Wibit, the company that plans to open the waterpark in the lake off the north part of Gyro Park, had hoped to be in operation this summer season.
Gina MacKay, Osoyoos director of planning and development services, said the delay is because the province hasn’t yet approved a foreshore lease.
The Town of Osoyoos has already approved the necessary foreshore and lake rezoning.
“The province has only said that it is being worked on,” MacKay said in an email. “They are very busy as a result of the issues related to flooding.”
Okanagan Wibit first approached the town with the idea in 2016, but it took until this year for the town to consider various potential locations, consult with local residents and work out details with the company.
In May, council passed the necessary zoning bylaw, adopting it in early June. This left the decision in the hands of the province.
The company had hoped for approval in time to recruit high school students during June to staff the park this summer.
With August now here and the summer season in its final weeks, even if provincial approval comes soon, MacKay suggested it is unlikely the waterpark will be open until 2019.
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
