PENTICTON – One of Penticton’s most important waterways is benefitting from the city’s plan to enhance downtown.

A Penticton staff report notes a key component arising from the 2012 downtown revitalization objective was recognition of the importance Penticton Creek has to the overall objective.

Grant funding was sought by city staff in 2013 for the project, with funds coming from the Habitat Conservation Trust Fund, to develop a project plan over a four-year period.

An 80-metre section of the creek, upstream from the Ellis Street bridge, will be subject to a showcase project this summer. A short section will be re-engineered to provide renewed flood protection and restore fish habitat to the creek, according to the report. The project will address maintenance issues, potentially resulting in improvement of fish habitat and showcase the transformation in an area visible to the public.

A total of $277,880 in funding was budgeted over the four year life of the project, which is into it's third year.

An open house for the public to learn more is scheduled for May 14 from 3:30 to 7 p.m. at the Penticton Community Centre at 325 Power Street.

Showcase project for Penticton Creek | iNFOnews.ca — A conceptual drawing of the restored portion of Penticton Creek. | Credit: City of Penticton

To contact the reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad at sarstad@infonews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.