By Bruce Walkinshaw

Climbing enthusiasts from around the world feel free to drink a little champagne from your vacuum-sealed titanium thermoses: Skaha Bluffs is going to be a provincial park.

The provincial government made it official last week, announcing the establishment of a 179-hectare park to protect the popular climbing area just south of Penticton, as well as some adjoining wildlife habitat.

“For years the province has been indicating that they were going to be move in this direction and I am very, very thankful that they are,” said Mayor Dan Ashton.

“The Skaha Bluffs area is an incredible asset right on our doorstep. This park will be very good for the City of Penticton and for the people of the South Okanagan — Similkameen region.”

In 2006, access to the bluffs — renowned as one of the best climbing sites in the world — became uncertain when local property owner Hugh Dunlop decided he would sell the nearby parking lot used by rock climbers to access the site.

The possibility that the city might lose access to one of its prime attractions sparked a campaign supported by the provincial and federal governments, outdoor retailer Mountain Equipment Co-op, several other businesses (including one from the United States), a range of conservation groups and individual donors, eventually raising more than $5 million to purchase a 304-hectare property near the climbing area. The site will be added to the park in the future, according to the announcement.

“This legislation is one more important step in securing the long-term future of this incredible site,” said Penticton MLA Bill Barisoff.

“The entire South Okanagan region will continue to see enhanced economic benefits from this great natural attraction that also promotes a healthy lifestyle through improved access to the outdoors.”

“This is a great day for our region,” he added.

Access to the site will eventually be developed up Smythe Drive, extending across property owned by developer John Skinner. In exchange, Skinner was granted permission to build a high-end vacation development including 174 homes, a winery and a nearby beach resort, with a sub-lease agreement for exclusive use of a piece of a lakefront known as Doggy Beach until at least 2022.

“Nothing but kudos to John Skinner and his family for enabling that route through their property,” Ashton said of the deal finalized in August.

The announcement comes as part of a provincewide initiative that also included the establishment of one new park, one new ecological reserve and the addition of purchased land to seven other provincial parks. As well, the B.C. government will enact nine new conservancies covering more than 111,000 hectares, a result of the Haida Gwaii land-use agreement with the Haida Nation

“I’ve had the chance to hike in the area a number of times, and it’s gorgeous,” said Environment Minister Barry Penner. “These 111,000 hectares of land are part of the legacy of protected green space that we (will) leave for future generations.”

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