Lake Country council has approved $390,000 funding jolt to enhance a planned EV Charging area at the north end of Pelmewash Parkway.
There was some debate over spending $200,000 on trees, irrigation and a water fountain. At council鈥檚 Aug. 20 meeting Mayor Blair Ireland said the area will become a tourist hub.
鈥淚 think turning this into a great little spot at the north end of Plemewash (Parkway)鈥reat enhancement for tourism.鈥�
The cost of trees is $100,000 with the rest paying for irrigation and the water fountain. The funds are coming from the district鈥檚 Climate Action Reserve.
鈥淧lanting trees is probably one of the cheapest, most affordable climate things we can do,鈥� Ireland added.
Council has already committed $150,000 to the project with BC Hydro providing $50,000.
Enhancements to the project include:
- 55 additional public parking (13 off-street spaces and 42 overflow spaces);
- Extended 30km/hr zone to match the west end of Oyama Road;
- Re-purposing of redundant four-lane highway to create public parking and inclusion of a multi-use pathway connection to the Rail Trail, and the proposed and existing residences at Evans Road;
- Water service and connection point;
- 50+ Trees with irrigation,
- Drinking water fountain;
- Additional picnic table;
- Multi-use pathway servicing both the parking area and the local active transportation network;
- Improvements to business access;
- Bus shelters.
A preliminary conceptual design of the site layout has been done and an operating agreement signed with BC Hydro.
A staff report indicates work is expected to begin in the fall. BC Hydro has indicated a preference to complete its portion of the EV charger installation at that time as well.
