The Wibit Splash Park, a summer favourite in Okanagan Lake in Peachland, might be facing a big jump in its lease fees.
At Peachland council鈥檚 Feb. 25 meeting, district staff brought forward a plan to align fees more closely with Wibit operations in other Okanagan cities.
Last year, Wibit paid nearly $2,400 in lease costs in Peachland. Meanwhile, it paid $10,500 in Osoyoos and $9,900 in Penticton. For 2025, the fees are set to be $10,500 in Osoyoos and $13,000 (plus GST/CPI) in Penticton.
District staff came up with a formula for Peachland's 2025 fee, which added up to $6,264. However, they suggested spreading out the increase over two years to make it easier on the operator. After that, the fee would go up yearly, with the previous year鈥檚 cost plus CPI.
Brittany Gallagher, representing her brother Rylie, who owns Splash BC (Wibit), spoke at the meeting.
"We understand it does need to get to fair market rate," she said. "But it鈥檚 a 400 per cent increase鈥� or close to it." She added that the Peachland Wibit employs 15 local youth and is the least profitable of their four operations, which include 琉璃神社, Penticton, and Osoyoos.
Council debated whether to extend the fee increase over four years, but ultimately decided to hold off on making a decision until they had more information about the Gallagher family's situation in Peachland.
"We need to hear from the applicant and get our ducks in a row a little better on the financial impact, as we're flying a little bit blind," said Councillor Dave Collins. "If your brother has an argument for lower rates than what we鈥檙e proposing, now is the time for him to step up and say 'here鈥檚 my Peachland numbers.'"
Collins added that if no other information comes forward, the district would likely stick with the market rates.
