West Kelowna council has chosen the most expensive design option for the Shannon Lake Active Transportation Corridor (ATC).
However, at $5.175 million, it does give the community the best bang for the buck according to city staff.
Council was presented with three options at its Nov. 28 regular meeting.
“Again, staff would recommend Option 3 as we recognize the real benefit in having that multi-use path on both sides throughout the entirety of the project,” said Allen Fillion, director of engineering operations.
Options 1 ($4.75 million) and 2 ($4.8 million) do not include a multi-use path on both sides of the road.
Fillion said the $4.75 million is included in the budget which will be presented to council in Dec.
“So based on our deliberations tonight, we’ll work with CFO (Warren) Everton to revise the budget accordingly.”
Fillion added projects such as ATCs are primarily funded by road development cost charges (DCC).
“With the current budget plan we are already bringing the road DCC reserve into a negative balance. We’ve discussed the additional costs associated with Option 3 and feel we can manage that additional ask.”
However, a roundabout proposed for Shannon Lake and Asquith roads would be more challenging to fit into the budget, Fillion noted.
That project is priced at $1.5 million.
The ATC would run from the Westbank First Nation boundary, near Shannon Way, along Shannon Lake Road to near the entrance of Shannon Lake Regional Park.
Coun. Garrett Milsap noted he has received positive feedback from many Shannon Lake residents about the project.
“They’re really happy to see this as a transportation corridor,” he said.
Coun. Rick de Jong also suggested the city could address parking at Shannon Lake Regional Park with the Central Okanagan Regional District.
“Perhaps it’s time it gets pointed out that park is a roaring success and that they have parking challenges… and what are they going to do about it.”
The Shannon Lake ATC report can be viewed on the city’s website.
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