Keith Newcomb tried fishing a marina proposal to West Kelowna this week, but, council wouldn’t bite.

Although, council members did applaud Newcomb’s initiative and credited him for thinking outside the box.

Newcomb suggested a partnership with the municipality that would allow him to use public foreshore along Gellatly Bay, between the CN Wharf and Willow Beach, to build his privately owned marina.

Newcomb presented two concepts at Tuesday night’s council meeting.

The first was a T-shape set of docks with an access pier extending approximately 30 metres off shore. A dock, with approximately 100 boat slips would span 250 metres of the bay.

The second concept was a double T-shape. The access pier extended 70 metres off shore. Four, 76-metre docks extended north and south from the central pier. Again 100 slips would be offered.

He also proposed a second public wharf in the area, at the north end of Willow Beach.

Coun. Carol Zanon said she appreciated having new ideas come before council.

However, she couldn’t get past the hurdles that came with Newcomb’s proposal.

“I do believe that over and above all the issues involving the water, the parking is probably the top concern,” said Zanon.

“In the summer we do have beach users and the people that come down (to put) boats in the water that are already filling up those spaces.”

Zanon noted that part of Newcomb’s proposal included moorage for dragon boats, which would potentially bring a couple dozen people out in their cars, taking up parking, just to access a single vessel.

“I simply can’t see how you could get a significant number of vehicles, to sustain your business opportunity, to be able to park along there to frequent the facility.”

Coun. David Knowles also noted that getting approval from various provincial ministries would be a lengthy and complicated process.

“Do you have any sense of how much work it is to get those approvals?” asked Knowles.

Security issues would also need to be addressed in more detail, according to Coun. Bryden Winsby. He said a single gate at the marina entrance was likely insufficient because people could simply swim onto the dock to get at moored vessels.

The District of West Kelowna also noted that Newcomb’s application was premature because of other irons the municipality had in the fire concerning Gellatly Bay, including an outstanding application for a license of occupation.

Gellatly Road is also due for a major overhaul, with parking and road widening issues still to be resolved, according to Coun. Rosalind Neis.

“I would say keep an eye on what decisions we make with regard to parking, and, how the future of Gellatly Road and the parking situation in that area unfolds,” offered Neis.

“That might have some impact on how you proceed in doing a business proposal. But, keep going forward. Keep the dream alive. That’s something that I would very much encourage you to do.”

Mayor Doug Findlater also noted that council must still complete a waterfront plan, which will be started within the next year, mapping out lakeshore use across the district.

“This may very well, some of the ideas you’ve got here, fit with that plan as we get that off the ground. I would encourage you to stay in touch,” the mayor commented.

Findlater noted that beyond the completion of the waterfront plan, there could be complications using a public foreshore to build a private marina.