Kelowna moves to secure public access to Eldorado waterfront boardwalk

The City of Kelowna is moving to protect long-term public access along a key section of the waterfront.

City council has authorized the start of the expropriation process for the portion of boardwalk in front of Hotel Eldorado, which connects the Cook Road boat launch and Rotary Beach.

The boardwalk sits on private property, but public access is protected by a legal right-of-way upheld by the Supreme Court of British Columbia and the B.C. Court of Appeal.

The city said access to the area has been restricted at times in recent years, and expropriation is being pursued after other options were exhausted.

Officials said acquiring the boardwalk will help preserve a continuous waterfront connection for residents and visitors for years to come.