Press Release - Town of Osoyoos Signs Marina Operating Agreement

Press Release - Town of Osoyoos Signs Marina Operating Agreement

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The Town of Osoyoos and Osoyoos Shoreline Developments (OSD), original partners in the planning and construction of the Osoyoos marina at Lion’s Park, have reached a long-term operating agreement for the facility.  

Under the agreement, approved at a council meeting on August 20, the Town and OSD will each contribute half of the $1,235,066 total cost of the project. Each will also be responsible for half of any future capital charges. However, the Town will retain full ownership of the facility. Each party will be responsible for management of their 16 slips while the Town will be responsible for the general maintenance of the marina on a day-to-day basis.

Although the marina has been operational since June, the official opening is planned for October when landscaping is completed. The marina’s official name is expected to be unveiled at that time.  

Osoyoos Mayor Stu Wells says the agreement is further evidence that private/public partnerships can be good for everyone involved. “Thanks to our relationship with OSD, we now have a first-rate facility, one that will benefit residents and visitors for years to come. Without OSD’s cooperation, and without their financial support, it’s unlikely this beautiful marina would have been built.”  

From a financial point of view, says Mayor Wells, the marina project was really a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. “In addition to OSD’s contribution, we received $308,820 in Resort Municipality provincial funding. The remaining funds, just over $300,000 came out of general reserves. That’s one-quarter of the total cost.”  

OSD project manager Glen Harris described the relationship between the Town and OSD, the developers of the Watermark Beach Resort, as an example for others to follow.  “Five years ago, our plan was to build a marina in front of the Watermark,” he recalls, „but when the Town asked us to reconsider that location, we worked together to come up with a solution that benefitted everyone. The result is an absolute state-of-the-art facility. It meets the needs of our guests and it meets the needs of the Town.”  

The marina now has 32 slips. The OSD has been granted first right of refusal for any future development of additional slips.

The Town will lease its 16 slips to interested parties and commercial operators. In fact, earlier this summer council approved a new water taxi and boat rental business, both of which will operate from the marina. OSD has indicated it will make its slips available to Watermark resort owners and guests. Under the agreement OSD users will be bound by marina regulations and rules established by the Town. 

The agreement calls for an annual lease payment to the province. This, too, will be split evenly between the Town and OSD. Both will pay an equal amount for additional landscaping.  

The final agreement will receive formal approval when the province approves the Town’s sub-licensing of the lands to OSD. Town and OSD officials expect that approval will come before the end of the year. 

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Barry Romanko
Chief Administrative Office
Box 3010
Osoyoos  BC  V0H 1V0
(T) 250.495.6515
(F) 250.495.2400