Hot dogs won‘t be able to beat the heat this summer with a refreshing swim in a second legalized watering hole along Okanagan Lake. Coun. Charlie Hodge‘s motion Monday to have staff immediately begin plans to open up a second doggie beach was rejected by his colleagues. "It‘s far too rushed," said Coun. Graeme James. "This is something we need to take the long view on, and focus on getting it right," said Coun. Kevin Craig. Hodge sought council support for a motion that instructed staff to report back at the next meeting on which lakeside parks might be opened up for dog swimming, and at what cost. While Kelowna has 68 parks that are dog-friendly, there is only one, Cedar Creek in the Mission, where dogs can legally swim in Okanagan Lake. That park, Hodge said, is too remote to be used by many dog owners. Staff ought be able to quickly identify other areas along the lake where dogs could legally swim, with minimal disruption to other park users and area residents, Hodge said. But instead of endorsing Hodge‘s motion, councillors voted to amend it slightly, changing the time reference for staff to report back to "as soon as possible." As a practical matter, it is understood there is little likelihood of a second lakeside park being opened up for dog swimming before next year, at the earliest. The possibility of a second dog beach would involve neighborhood and public consultation, and Interior Health would also likely weigh in on the matter. Top of Page
