滨迟鈥檚 not even open yet, but the Okanagan Rail Trail is already making tracks as a popular tourist destination.
With locals and tourists frequenting the trail on a regular basis, Coldstream is getting on board with planning for the 迟谤补颈濒鈥檚 impact.
鈥凌颈驳丑迟 now 飞别鈥檙别 seeing it with people coming in and filling up the neighbourhoods and 颈迟鈥檚 not even open 测别迟,鈥� said Coun. Glen Taylor.
Parking is a major issue Coldstream wants to tackle, along with short term rentals, which may increase as tourist demands grow. Therefore the tourism committee is being tasked with making these issues a priority.
鈥泪蹿 we can give information and provide a place for people to seek information, such as where to 辫补谤办,鈥� said Coun. Richard Enns.
While the Kalamalka Beach parking lot on Husband Road will be busy in the summer months, it could be used to accommodate rail trail goers in the off-months. Coldstream also recently purchased a two-hectare lot on Kalamalka Road next to the Alpine Centre for rail trail parking, among other things.
The tourism committee will:
- identify strategies to manage parking;
- identify rail trail access points and comment on any opportunities and challenges at those accesses; and
- determine appropriate communication/information for the community and visitors using the trail and how it is best distributed/communicated.
But council is struggling with the prospect of increased short term rentals in the area, including airbnbs and bed and breakfasts.
鈥淲别 need to look at the measures on how to mitigate any 颈尘辫补肠迟蝉,鈥� said Taylor, noting that there are no real rentals in Coldstream so the only opportunity is through airbnbs. 鈥淭丑别谤别 has to be some things put in place so they can be monitored, so 迟丑别测鈥檙别 not getting out of 丑补苍诲.鈥�
The tourism committee will:
- identify what the demand is for this type of accommodation from the perspectives of the operators and users; and
- identify the community benefits and challenges of allowing this type of accommodation in Coldstream.
Coun. Doug Dirk questions what the benefit would be to Coldstream.
鈥淯苍濒别蝉蝉 it brings us some revenue it 诲辞别蝉苍鈥檛 make any sense because 颈迟鈥檚 going to bring us 辫谤辞产濒别尘蝉,鈥� said Dirk.
But as Taylor points out, if you build it, they will come.
鈥淲丑别苍 you look at the rail trail, 颈迟鈥檚 happening whether 迟丑别谤别鈥檚 benefits or 苍辞迟.鈥�
颁辞濒诲蝉迟谤别补尘鈥檚 tourism committee is being asked to discuss the issues and come back to council with recommendations.
