Peachland Council is now looking at other ways to finally get a stretch of road in the community paved鈥攕omething locals have been waiting on for over 10 years.
At a previous council meeting, resident Jim Carpenter explained that after the installation of district water main in 2013, only a portion of Thorne Road was paved, leaving the rest unfinished.
The water main work was partially funded by a Local Service Area (LSA) agreement where residents contributed 25 per cent of the cost. At the time, it was made clear that paving was not included in the project due to budget constraints. The road was left as a gravel surface, and surplus funds from the residents' contributions were returned.
In 2021, the paving of Thorne Road was brought forward as a Priority 2 item for the 2022 budget. Staff identified a potential development property on Thorne Road that could contribute to the paving costs through required off-site improvements. However, the estimated cost of $400,000 at the time was deemed too high, and the project was shelved.
During its May 20 meeting, council heard that the cost has risen to $500,000, accounting for the need for a thicker asphalt layer due to heavy farm traffic and additional upgrades like improved ditches and drainage.
District staff recommended against prioritizing the project, citing greater needs on other roads serving larger populations, but that it could be included for 2026 budget deliberations.
鈥淎 half-million dollars鈥擨鈥檓 going to be very honest鈥攚e don鈥檛 have that,鈥� Mayor Patrick Van Minsel pointed out. 鈥淲e could got to $100,000 and an LSA for the next 20 to 30 years.鈥�
The LSA would include nine properties on Thorne Road.
鈥淲e are going to ask our staff to come back to us with a cost calculation on this proposal, and see if we can come to an agreement,鈥� the mayor added.
One of the properties is within the Regional District Central Okanagan (RDCO).
Councillor Keith Thom asked if any part of the road was within the RDCO and if it could be asked to contribute to the cost.
Staff said all of Thorne Road is in Peachland, but the property does use the road.
鈥淚t鈥檚 my recollection Mr. Mayor that we asked the RDCO a while back and they flatly refused,鈥� Coun. Terry Condon said. 鈥淚 have every sympathy for the residents of Thorne Road and I would like to see us work something out.鈥�
Van Minsel added that he has brought the issue up with the RDCO several times but 鈥渢here is no appetite.鈥�
Staff will investigate different proposals and bring a report back to council.
