The pending redevelopment of Skaka Lake Marina in Penticton has drawn 25 years’ worth of excitement from local politicians about the future of the city’s south end.
Current owners of downtown eateries The Barking Parrot and Hooded Merganser headline a plan that would see the marina revitalized with a new restaurant after the city inked a 25-year agreement with the Penticton Yacht Club.
Construction is set to begin sometime this fall, with the nearly 4,000 square-foot restaurant with an estimated opening date of April or May 2023, according to the city.
“The whole thing is going to be done without a penny spent from citizens’ taxes,” said mayor John Vassilaki. “It’s all done by the proponents and their money…I just hope this will be the most successful thing in Penticton for the next 25 or 30 years and beyond.”
A plan years in the making, the redevelopment project involved finalizing partnerships with the Penticton Indian Band and the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations.
Final design concepts for the revitalized space are set for approval in the coming weeks before redevelopment construction begins.
“I have long felt that the scenario of Skaha Marina was a diamond in the rough,” said coun. Judy Sentes. “I’m really thrilled and looking forward to seeing how this polishes up.”
Along with the new restaurant, changes to the marina include upgrades to the parking lots and landscaping improvements, with residents expected to notice the renovations by the fall.
“We’ll now have a jewel, on top of a jewel, at Skaha Lake Park,” Vassilaki said.
The Barking Parrot and Hooded Merganser along with the new restaurant are owned by Sylvia Lake Holdings.
As part of the city’s presentation to council Tuesday, Sept. 6, several design concepts for the new marina were revealed.
The city and the Penticton Yacht Club reached the multi-decade agreement early in 2022.
“I’m thrilled to see that diamond start to shine,” Sentes added.
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