City KovuliBritish Columbia is toying with the idea of turning its floating bridge into an iconic landmark.
The City Council was recently presented with a look at its 10-year capital plan.
Projects under consideration include adding lighting to the WAC Bennett Bridge to create a prominent Kelowna landmark, such as the illuminated CN Tower in Toronto and the illuminated waterfalls in Niagara Falls.
“I think it's just a decoration for the city,” said West Kelowna resident Debbie Scott. “I think it will lead to tourism. The more beautiful it is, the more people will come.”
Transforming the bridge into this iconic landmark will cost approximately $1 million, according to city officials.
However, some Kelowna taxpayers believe the money should be spent more wisely.
“Let's fix it, make the roads safer, provide more housing, affordable housing,” said Kelowna resident Caitlin McCulloch. “It could definitely be used in a different way that would benefit the community more.”
“I don't like the government spending taxpayers' money on things that are completely unnecessary,” said Anna Vinogradova, another Kelowna resident.
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A similar view is shared by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, which said the city should prioritize essential services.
“British Columbia is at the center of a national affordability crisis and, including the Okanagan, including Kelowna and the City, there is a need to find real savings for taxpayers right now rather than spending a million dollars on pet projects,” said Canadian Taxpayers Federation of British Columbia director Carson Binda.
In an email to Global News, the City of Kelowna said, “The lighting of the bridge was not approved by council. The 10-year capital plan was presented to me as something that could be implemented in the future, so staff cannot speak to that.”
On the other side of the bridge in West Kelowna, while taxpayers won't be footing the bill, many say there are much more important priorities when it comes to the bridge.
“We're improving the bridge. Who cares what it looks like,” Ron Reitmeier said. “Traffic improvements. You know, driving downtown sucks.”
“A million dollars just to light up the bridge is a waste of money,” said Anjali Birx, another West Kelowna resident. “We need another transition.”
While talk of a second crossing has long been discussed, that decision is ultimately up to the province and would cost much more.
“I agree, but I would be willing to pay a toll for this transition,” Birx added. “Absolutely willing to pay for it.”
Kelowna City Council is expected to discuss the project when it begins budget discussions in early December.
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