Boating is a significant draw for tourism in the Okanagan region, yet local watercraft rental businesses are expressing concerns about a city policy in Kelowna that they perceive as unjust and damaging to their operations. Max Standen, owner of Okanagan Luxury Boat Club, argues that the new bylaw targets licensed commercial operators unfairly while not imposing similar financial burdens on private boat owners. Established in 2022, the bylaw requires commercial operators to pay $2,000 per vessel annually, ostensibly to fund the maintenance of two city-owned boat launches. For Standen, this translates into a hefty expense of $50,000 for his fleet of 20 vessels, despite some being offline for maintenance, further complicating their financial situation.
Corey Severin, owner of Kelowna Seadoo Rentals, echoes Standen’s sentiments, emphasizing the struggle to keep their businesses afloat amidst rising costs associated with equipment, insurance, and fuel. He questions how city officials expect commercial operators to absorb additional financial burdens. The disparity between the fees imposed on commercial ventures versus the absence of fees for private boaters has led to feelings of resentment within the industry. Both Standen and Severin worry that with tourism already affected by economic conditions, these heightened fees could deter the general public from engaging in recreational boating.
In light of these challenges, several commercial boat operators have united to form the Kelowna Marine Tourism Association. Their primary goal is to advocate for an equitable fee structure that holds all users of boat launches accountable for maintenance costs. The association proposes implementing a per-usage fee model, similar to those used in boat launch facilities across the Lower Mainland, to ensure that everyone contributes fairly. They contend that as commercial operators, they bear a disproportionate share of the financial load compared to other stakeholders such as mechanics, dealerships, and private boat owners.
The existing fee bylaw has entered its fourth year, but compliance has notably declined this year. Johannes Saufferer, the City of Kelowna’s director of real estate, reported a significant drop in adherence to the bylaw, which had previously achieved reasonable compliance rates. He highlighted the expense of maintaining the two city-owned boat launches, which costs approximately $400,000 annually, previously funded through general taxation. An amendment made to this bylaw in April 2022 came after a study found that commercial operators represent a substantial 25% of all users at these launch facilities.
While Saufferer expressed that the city is considering a model where all users contribute, the current bylaw remains in effect, obligating commercial operators to comply or face fines. The city aims to initially focus on educating operators regarding the bylaw, with potential fines for non-compliance reaching up to $500. The discussions surrounding fees reflect an ongoing tension between local businesses striving to survive in a challenging economic landscape, and city officials aiming to adequately manage and maintain public facilities without relying solely on taxpayers.
In summary, the ongoing situation underscores the broader complexities of managing public resources and supporting local businesses in a tourism-centric economy. The boat rental industry in Kelowna is navigating a delicate balance of maintaining affordability for consumers while facing increasing operational costs and regulatory pressures. A re-evaluation of the city’s approach may be necessary to foster a more sustainable model that promotes equity among all users of the public boat launch facilities. Stakeholders are hopeful that constructive discussions will lead to fairer solutions benefiting both the local economy and the city’s tourism appeal.
