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Demand grows to reopen launch

The ongoing closure of a popular boat launch is making waves.
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The Paddlewheel Park boat launch has been closed because of high levels on Okanagan Lake. (Morning Star file photo)

The ongoing closure of a popular boat launch is making waves.

Director Akbal Mund wants the Regional District of North Okanagan to reopen the Paddlewheel Park boat launch as soon as possible.

“We have six weeks of tourism left in our region,” he said, adding that the impact of flooding on launches and other amenities has hurt the economy.

“A lot of people are also cancelling (holidays) because they associate the Okanagan with wildfires even though we haven’t had fires. If they cancel one year, they go somewhere else and they like it there.”

The Paddlewheel launch was closed in mid-May because of high water levels.

It’s not known when the launch may be open again to boaters.

“There will be inspections of the dock for any damage and debris cleaned up,” said David Sewell, RDNO chief administrative officer.