By ROY WOOD

The million-dollar Gyro Pier project took another step forward Monday as the lead consultant updated town council and the planning director said he hopes the see detailed designs next year.

Ed Grifone of Kelowna-Based CTQ Consultants said a public meeting in early November received just 11 replies to a survey on various design options, but that they will be taken into consideration when detailed design work begins.

Town planning director Alain Cunningham told Monday’s council committee meeting he will bring the project into the current budget discussions. “We need to keep moving it ahead,” he said.

The projected costs of the “detailed design and permitting” phase is between $73,000 and $83.500.

Estimated total cost of the project is $1,050,000. Grifone said it is designed so that it can be phased in over a number of years.

The pier is envisioned to be about 65 metres long and five metres wide and anchored into the lake by steel pilings. The surface would be made of wood or composite material with a gazebo-like structure at the water end.

There is a day-use boat moorage on the lake side, for pleasure boats and possibly water taxis from N’k Mip Resort across the lake.

The concept plan includes a water-play swimming area as well as wheelchair access to the water.

The pier begins on the eastern-most point of Gyro Park and extends southward into the lake. In that orientation, the pier would be clearly visible looking east down Main Street.

The pier would connect to the rest of Gyro Park via a walkway going around the volleyball courts and beside the bowling green.

The money to build the pier is the annual resort municipalities funding program.

Osoyoos is one of 14 BC municipalities that receive such funding, aimed at increasing resort and visitor activities and amenities. This year the town’s allocation from the fund was about $400,000.

Later on Monday, council approved a $78,000 contract with H&M Excavating of Penticton to complete phase B of the Gyro Park project. It includes a concrete ramp, paved walkway, benches, lighting and bike racks extending from the parking area toward the future pier.

Work on phase B is scheduled for completion by April 30.