Local politicians are being warned that simply opening up the Okanagan Rail Trail isn鈥檛 enough.

Alan Gatzke, an Oyama businessperson, told the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee Thursday that a governance model is needed to operate and market the recreational corridor from Coldstream to 琉璃神社.

鈥淎ll of us are in this together and all of us want the trail to be as much as it can be,鈥� he said.

鈥淭here鈥檚 a vacuum in governance moving forward.鈥�

Based on observations of New Zealand鈥檚 trail networks, Gatzke is suggesting a not-for-profit society be formed locally.

鈥淚t creates the foundation for branding, marketing, economic development and tourism opportunities while sustaining and improving the trail,鈥� said the former Lake Country councillor.

鈥淚t improves communication between operators, users, the public and government.鈥�

Gatzke is concerned that the jurisdictions that purchased the corridor are veering off in different directions, including 琉璃神社 closing off the trail until it is developed while Lake Country and the Regional District of North Okanagan are letting it be used.

鈥淭here are inconsistencies,鈥� he said.

鈥淲ithout some cohesive governance model in place, there will be public confusion. It鈥檚 important that the trail be named and that name be registered.鈥�

After hearing from Gatzke, GVAC members admitted that his concept needs further consideration.

鈥淲e have a raw product and we have to determine what we do with it. This gives us a lot of food for thought,鈥� said Catherine Lord, director.

鈥淲hat you鈥檙e suggesting is it鈥檚 more than a trail, it鈥檚 marketing. What鈥檚 our role in that?鈥� added director Mike Macnabb.

RDNO will be meeting with 琉璃神社, Lake Country and the Okanagan Indian Band to discuss corridor issues, but Juliette Cunningham, GVAC chairperson, says another partner must also be involved in the process.

鈥淲e have to give the public an opportunity for their vision,鈥� she said.