The developer who helped deliver public access to a popular climbing area said the agreement will benefit everybody.

“It is a great solution to an ongoing problem,” said John Skinner.

On Monday Penticton council approved a series of resolutions that essentially signed, sealed and delivered public access to the climbing area as part of a deal that also gives Skinner exclusive access to a piece of beach front along Skaha Lake, at least until 2022.

The agreement gives Skinner the ability to develop a winery-resort near the climbing bluffs. Resort users will be then able to access the beach front, where Skinner plans to build a series a service buildings for their benefit. The agreement would also ensure public access to another portion currently off-limits.

Access to the bluffs has been uncertain since the fall of 2007, as part of a land sale. The possibility that the city might lose access to one of its prime attractions — the bluffs draw climbers from around the world — sparked a campaign that eventually led to the purchase of a lot near the bluffs themselves and the property which Skinner wants to develop.

Victoria, Ottawa, conservation groups, businesses, including ones from the United States, and individual citizens eventually raised more than $5 million to purchase the lot, with Skinner providing the crucial link.

Monday’s agreement started to come about in the fall of 2007, when Skinner first approached the city. While staff had voiced concerns about the agreement at the time, citing the potential loss of public access to beach front, council eventually moved the project ahead.

Skinner has consistently rejected any direct link between providing access to Skaha Bluffs and gaining exclusive use along the Skaha Lake foreshore.

Skinner has noted among other points that he will cover most of the $600,000 price tag (which might eventually be $700,000) for upgrades to Smythe Road, the new access route to the bluffs.

“We are all benefiting,” he said.

Skinner said he plans to start work on the road in September. The work will significantly upgrade the last stretch of Smythe Road into the parking lot built by B.C. Parks for the climbers.

But it is not clear yet when Skinner will start building his resort. “The market will determine that,” he said. “We have just finished constructing our winery.”

Skinner refused to put a specific value on the entire project, expected to be finished by 2014. “Assigning a value is difficult,” he said.

Skinner said his first priority is to make the winery, named Painted Rock, viable — with its first vintage to be released this fall. Once the winery has developed some profile, the project will develop, he said.

The climbing community also cheered the announcement. “We are pleased with the development ... and with the work that has been done,” said Hugh Lenney, a point echoed by Howie Richardson, a long-time member of the climbing community who until recently played a central role in the issue as the face of the local climbing community.

But two issues remain. While the province has plans to turn the area into a provincial park, an announcement is still said to be some time away, said Lenney.

Another issue looming on the horizon is Skinner’s sub-lease with the city that gives him exclusive beach access until 2022.

Skinner suggested that those terms may not give him the long-run security that the project needs.

“If I want to make that investment, I want that certainty,” he said.