Deal paves way towards completed rail trail

The Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB) has reached a provisional agreement with the City of Kelowna and District of Lake Country that should see the long-awaited completion of a key regional recreational amenity.

The communities say the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will create a path toward various important health, safety and economic improvements, including completion of the Okanagan Rail Trail.

Seven kilometres of the Rail Trail in the Duck Lake area north of the Kelowna Airport has been off-limits to the public and subject to a land ownership transfer involving OKIB, CN Rail and the federal government.

Under this new agreement, OKIB has agreed to provide access to the Rail Trail once the federal government adds the lands to reserve, allowing the final link on the popular trail to be completed.

OKIB chief Byron Louis said the MOU finds common ground with Kelowna and Lake Country on several long-standing issues.

“Improvements to water and wastewater on IR#7 will ensure a safe water supply and reduce septic pollution while road improvements will increase safety and pave the way for economic development opportunities. We look forward to working with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to accomplish the road improvements,” Louis said.

Lake Country Mayor James Baker says the MOU took many months, if not years, of frank discussions and negotiations, and sets the stage for specific agreements between each of the three parties on various services, boundary adjustments, and infrastructure improvements.

“While the details will take time to flesh out for each of the various agreements, there will be significant safety and economic benefits for each community. Working together will also amplify our voice inspiring collaboration and participation from the provincial and federal governments on these important infrastructure projects,” Baker remarked.

Over the coming months, the parties will formalize legal agreements to address responsibilities and funding for the various works.

A key project will be the Commonwealth Road connection between Highway 97 and Jim Bailey Road. The City of Kelowna will lead the process and engage with the Ministry of Transportation to improve this road within the area to handle truck and car traffic. Extensive public consultation with businesses and residents in the area will be coordinated by Kelowna.

“This is an historic agreement that can provide so many improvements to not only the residents and businesses in this area but have positive cultural and economic spin-offs for the entire region,” said Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran. “The projects touch on everything from reconciliation with our indigenous friends and neighbours, health, safety, environmental protection and active living – all longstanding priorities for the City of Kelowna.”

The three jurisdictions agree to work together to upgrade Beaver Lake Road to an arterial standard from Highway 97 to Jim Bailey Road.

Working within the spirit of the agreement, all parties are committed to meeting the following goals:

OKIB objectives:

- the opportunity for water and sewer services to existing properties and availability of servicing for future developments,

- a road access to a parcel of land on the east side of Duck Lake, and

- an Addition to Reserve for the Okanagan Rail Trail corridor

Lake Country objectives:

- to have Commonwealth Road opened as an arterial access to Jim Bailey Road from Highway 97 to address capacity issues on Beaver Lake Road

- to complete the Okanagan Rail Trail,

- to secure interim sewer servicing from the City of Kelowna,

- dedication of a road right-of-way north from Beaver Lake Road to the Clearwater/Copperhill subdivision, and

- a minor boundary adjustment

City of Kelowna objectives:

- to complete the development of the Okanagan Rail Trail,

- to protect the City’s main sewer line within the rail trail right-of-way through the IR#7,

- to obtain full access for the industrial lands via Commonwealth Road, and

- water supply from Lake Country for the entire neighbourhood

Chief Louis and mayors Basran and Baker will take part in a ceremonial signing event in the near future.