On a sunny Vernon morning you pick up coffee from your new favourite café to drink as you stroll along boardwalks that meander through a flow of natural wetlands and creeks. Your destination is the new Okanagan Lake beach that gives you stunning views of nearby mountains. At lunch time you visit the new restaurant in the beach-side resort The Port Okanagan.
Third Reading Approval
Having now passed the third reading at a recent Vernon City Council meeting and obtaining re-zoning approval, The Port Okanagan is much closer to a reality. Not only will it include the lakeside resort but will contain a mix of residential and commercial spaces. Located on 16 acres on Lakeshore Drive adjacent to Lakeshore Park and Beach, this development will retain 7 acres of wetlands, creeks and other existing natural features.
The Residences
Nestled among the beauty will be a mix of residences – private condominiums, rental apartments and vacation condominiums – that will have views of the surrounding lake, mountains and wetlands. Most residential buildings may also include private pools and other amenities.
The Storefronts
Commercial storefronts will be situated on pedestrian orientated shopping streets and interconnected via boardwalks that lead to the resort. These wooden boardwalks will have with several locations to sit and enjoy the natural wetlands and tranquil setting. The public will have access to the lakeshore, parks, streets and businesses.
The High-end Resort
The high-end resort itself will be 4 to 4.5 star, contain a parkade and a 400 to 500-person conference centre. Amenities for its approximately 110 rooms and suites will include a dine-in restaurant, pool and spa, and beach access.
Named “The Port” in honor of the site’s history as a hub where roads, rail and ships met to transfer people to the paddle wheelers that sailed Okanagan Lake. This development promises to continue that tradition, with residents, store owners and visitors all converging in a stunning natural setting.
