Boat launch fees coming for commercial users this summer

City staff expect to collect over $100,000 from commercial boat launch fees that will come into force this summer.

The fee will apply to companies that offer valet, dryland boat rental and boat club services and use city-owned launches. It comes as more than $1.1 million in repairs are needed to city docks.

Commercial operators make up a quarter of all launches and have become responsible for a growing number of complaints. There are about 15 commercial users: two valet services, 10 dryland boat rental and three dryland boat clubs.

Lawmakers unanimously approved the fee structure.

“This does align with council directives of looking at certain public infrastructure that everybody has the ability to use, but there are some that use more and need to pay a little bit more proportionately for it, certainly when there is a business-side of it, this makes sense,” Coun. Brad Sieben said.

The operators will be treated somewhat like food trucks, which tend to operate in or near parks. Revenue generated from these business permits are directed towards the city’s parks reserve fund.

But instead of charging per company, the city will charge per watercraft. This is justified as some businesses only have a handful of boats, while others have upwards of 100.

Dryland valet will face an annual fee of just $200 per boat, as these businesses usually store, and launch boats owned by Kelowna residents.

Companies geared towards tourists, who rent boats and launch them, will pay a per-vessel fee of $2,000 per year. According to the report, a typical full-day boat rental comes with a $1,400 price tag.

Sailors who bring and launch their own boat will not pay anything.

On-water moorage is hard to find and if a company can find a spot, it can expect to pay at least $3,000, depending on the size of the boat, the report said in justifying the cost.

Mayor Colin Basran acknowledged some people will not appreciate the new fees. But he said the city “struck a balance between serving the public while protecting our communities’ assets, while also being very reasonable in what we’re charging.”

The city hopes to haul in around $106,000 in 2022, minus $15,000 for enhanced enforcement costs. This is about 25 per cent of the $250,000 annual maintenance and operating cost, on top of 10 per cent of the renewal costs split over ten years.

A recent study found the Cook Road dock is at the end of its lifecycle, while the Water Street docks are well past their prime. Both need the wooden docks rebuilt. Improvements to the concrete ramps are recommended, too. These upgrades will not be completed for some time.