Fed up and feeling ignored, a group of Kelowna watercraft rental operators say city hall is strong-arming them with unfair fees, poor planning, and a refusal to listen.
Following a recent meeting with city staff, the group formed the Kelowna Marine Tourism Association (KMTA) to push back on the constant issues they deal with at the Water Street boat launch.
香蕉视频直播淲e want to cooperate with the city because we work here every day,香蕉视频直播� said Denys Storozhuk, owner of Okanagan Experience. 香蕉视频直播淲e know the problems. We know the solutions. They don香蕉视频直播檛.香蕉视频直播�
Frustration Over Fees, Enforcement
Boat launch fees for municipal docks were adopted by council in 2022, introducing a flat rate for commercial users香蕉视频直播�$2,000 per boat and $1,000 per jet ski for the year. Operators say the fees are arbitrary and unfairly applied.
香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檙e not opposed to paying fees,香蕉视频直播� said Storozhuk. 香蕉视频直播淏ut other commercial operators, mechanics, marinas, they don香蕉视频直播檛 pay. Meanwhile, we get ticketed.香蕉视频直播�
He also said he香蕉视频直播檚 collected multiple tickets from bylaw officers and plans to dispute them. Operators argue the city香蕉视频直播檚 current approach to enforcement is heavy-handed and one-sided.
They said $500 tickets have been issued for minor infractions while safety and upkeep are ignored. They claim that bylaw officers show up in groups, demand customer IDs, and create a hostile environment. The RCMP have been called to defuse tensions and address bylaw conduct, they added.
香蕉视频直播淚t's almost like a bully attitude from high school,香蕉视频直播� said Corey Severin, owner of Kelowna Seadoo Rentals. 香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檝e actually had customers having to step in to the (bylaw) officer, which I don't want them to do that, but they're like, 'Hey', until he actually walked away because he realized he was overstepping.香蕉视频直播�
The group says they香蕉视频直播檙e not asking the city to eliminate fees香蕉视频直播攋ust to make them fair, proportional, and part of a broader plan that includes infrastructure improvements.
香蕉视频直播淕ive us a per-launch fee, or a surcharge on transactions,香蕉视频直播� said Severin. 香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檙e happy to contribute. But the current system doesn香蕉视频直播檛 work.香蕉视频直播�
KMTA members are refusing to pay launch fees by the July 31 due date, and said they have been threatened with $10,000-per-day fines and potential closure of the launch to their operations for the August long weekend.
A letter from the city's real estate department to commercial operators, and provided to Black Press Media, states that the fee bylaw is in effect and escalating enforcement will begin July 31. Any users of boat launch facilities found in non-compliance at that time will subject to fines and/or denied access.
The group has asked the city to suspend enforcement until proper dialogue occurs, and requested to appear before council.
香蕉视频直播淭o even get on the agenda, we need five councillors to agree,香蕉视频直播� Storozhuk said. 香蕉视频直播淏ut how can they support something they haven香蕉视频直播檛 heard yet? It香蕉视频直播檚 a catch-22.香蕉视频直播�
Dock Design, Safety Concerns
The Water Street launch was renovated in April 2024 to improve public safety and accessibility.
However, operators said it was done without industry input, resulting in several design flaws and no improvements to the surrounding area, making launching slower and more hazardous.
香蕉视频直播淭hese used to be docks all the way down so people could safely tie up their boats,香蕉视频直播� said Severin, referring to more space to park watercraft. 香蕉视频直播淣ow you can香蕉视频直播檛 do that.香蕉视频直播�
Storzhuk echoed those concerns.
香蕉视频直播淏ecause previously it was a flat ramp, one person could launch a boat in five minutes,香蕉视频直播� said Storozhuk. 香蕉视频直播淣ow it takes 20. That leads to congestion.香蕉视频直播�
Rob Wittmer of Okanagan Parasail said the new dock may look good, but it doesn香蕉视频直播檛 function well.
香蕉视频直播淚 know the city probably thought they were doing their best,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淏ut it香蕉视频直播檚 hopelessly impractical.香蕉视频直播�
Severin said he香蕉视频直播檚 also seen customers and members of the public slipping and injuring themselves on the new dock.
香蕉视频直播淚 watched a gentleman fall and split his head open because people were getting impatient and he was trying to hurry up.香蕉视频直播�
He added that the current configuration of the dock and parking area has created unsafe conditions for both boaters and pedestrians.
香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 not if, it香蕉视频直播檚 when someone gets run over. You香蕉视频直播檝e got pedestrians walking behind vehicles trying to launch boats, and drivers often can香蕉视频直播檛 see them.香蕉视频直播�
The area is busy with pedestrian traffic as the Waterfront Walkway, Kelowna Yacht Club, restaurants, and the Delta Grand Resort are nearby.
Storzhuk noted that the city did provide traffic control personnel during the July 1 long weekend.
香蕉视频直播淚t was super helpful. It reduced congestion dramatically.香蕉视频直播�
Max Standen, owner of Okanagan Luxury Boat Club and Valet, said unsafe behaviour is common.
香蕉视频直播淧eople try to step between a truck and a trailer because they don香蕉视频直播檛 want to wait,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淲e also had one person (driver) squeeze through traffic and hit two vehicles trying to rush through.香蕉视频直播�
Standen, who employs more than 25 staff, said his team often steps in to direct traffic and ensure public safety.
香蕉视频直播淭here香蕉视频直播檚 a real sense of community among us down here. We help each other out. But it香蕉视频直播檚 not sustainable.香蕉视频直播�
City's Response
In a written statement, the City of Kelowna said safe and fair access to marine facilities for all users is a priority.
"The fee structure associated with Bylaw No. 10680 was designed to ensure commercial users pay their proportionate share of operating and capital costs associated with these amenities, thereby reducing the reliance on general taxation to fund boat launch infrastructure."
The commercial boat launch fees help fund maintenance and capital improvements at the city香蕉视频直播檚 three launches: Water Street, Cook Road and Sutherland Bay.
香蕉视频直播淕iven the age of the infrastructure, further improvements are contemplated in future years,香蕉视频直播� the statement read.
The city added that it香蕉视频直播檚 conducting a broader review of municipal boat launch operations and has posted a public survey online. The city is also aware of KMTA香蕉视频直播檚 statements regarding access restrictions, proposed fines, and the refusal to pay launch fees over the August long weekend.
香蕉视频直播淭he city remains committed to respectful and constructive engagement,香蕉视频直播� the statement read. 香蕉视频直播淲e won香蕉视频直播檛 comment on or negotiate these matters through the media. Staff are in on-going dialogue with marine industry stakeholders and continue to review and assess how to best administer the city's boat launch infrastructure in a manner that best meets the needs of our community."
KTMA Solutions
The association is calling for several short- and long-term improvements, including:
- Suspending enforcement over the August long weekend;
- Introducing a usage-based or percentage-based fee model;
- Building two new floating docks for moorage;
- Adding real-time stall signage like downtown parkades;
- Improving dock safety with padding, benches, shade and daily garbage pickup;
- Dredging and upgrading the Sutherland Bay launch as an alternative site.
They also want more consistent rules across the marine sector.
香蕉视频直播淩ight now, some operators pay and some don香蕉视频直播檛,香蕉视频直播� said Storozhuk. 香蕉视频直播淲e formed this association so we can help the city create a system that works香蕉视频直播攁nd enforce it fairly.香蕉视频直播�
Despite the frustration, operators say they want to work with the city.
香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檙e not saying build the launch to our specs,香蕉视频直播� said Standen. 香蕉视频直播淛ust make it safe. Make it user-friendly. That香蕉视频直播檚 good for the public, not just for us.香蕉视频直播�
With the August long weekend approaching, operators are watching closely to see whether city hall will reconsider.
香蕉视频直播淚f nothing changes, we香蕉视频直播檒l have frustrated guests, safety risks, and businesses suffering for no good reason,香蕉视频直播� said Storozhuk. 香蕉视频直播淭hat doesn香蕉视频直播檛 help anyone.香蕉视频直播�
