Public hearing set for Gyro Beach play area
Fearing a negative reaction from residents who might feel un-heard, council has scheduled an evening public hearing on a re-zoning that would allow creation of a floating, commercial waterpark at Gyro Beach.
Okanagan Witbit would like to install its plastic floating playground on the lake just off the east side of the beach. To do so requires a rezoning by the town along with some approvals from the province.
Rezonings require a public hearing and staff had recommended 4 p.m., April 30 in council chambers.
But Councillor CJ Rhodes, who is in favour of the proposal, said he has heard from residents who are unhappy they haven’t had any input on the plan.
Council decided an evening meeting would be more accessible to more people and so it was moved to 7 p.m.
Members of town staff indicated the company believes that if it gets the rezoning quickly it will be able to satisfy the provincial Water Sustainability Act requirements in time to open in time for summer.
Former Miss Osoyoos eyes the Universe
If a former Miss Osoyoos who wants to become Miss Universe Canada hopes to get financial help from the town, she’ll have to come to a meeting and make her case.
Gina Pereira, who was Miss Osoyoos in 2013-14, wrote to the town seeking finacial support for her quest to compete in the national pageant in Toronto this summer.
At today’s council meeting, a couple of councillors had questions that town staff couldn’t answer. So, Councillor Mike Campol suggested that Pereira come to a Committee of the Whole meeting to provide some answers.
In her letter to the town, Pereira said: “I was chosen to be one of the 31 representatives in Western Canada and now I need the help of our town to go to Toronto. I am looking for sponsors who are wiling to donate.”
The winner of the Miss Universe Canada pageant this summer heads off the Miss Universe show this fall in the Phillipines.

Resort funding pays for motorcycle stunt show
With the enthusiastic approval of all members, council approved a $5,500 grant to the Cactus Car Jalopies to help pay for the motorcycle jumping part of the event.
The grant will be funded through the Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI) program, rather than out of the town’s community grant program.
Coincidentally, the town today also officially accepted this year’s RMI grant from the province in the amount of $379,000. Osoyoos is one of 14 municipalities that share in a $10.5-million program to help pay for tourism-related programs and projects.
The 13th annual Cactus Car Jalopies car show runs in Osoyoos from June 1-3. The Extreme Motorcycle show on June 2 is one of the weekend attractions, along with a “show and shine” at Gyro Beach, a beer garden, wine tours and drag racing.