A paddlewheeler may once again travel the length of Slocan Lake.
The idea to construct a passenger vessel and operate it from Slocan to Evans Creek, Silverton, New Denver and back to Slocan has recently been initiated by the Village of Slocan. Slocan councillor John Gates and administrator Eunice Ludlow presented the idea to the councils of New Denver and Silverton on January 25, seeking partnerships with the two villages. New Denver has accepted the proposal.
A handout given to the two councils says, “It would be a tremendous tourist attraction and encourage people to visit and spend more time in all three villages. It also...would transport hikers from the head of Rails to Trails to New Denver...and provide transportation from Valhalla Provincial Park to any of the three villages.”
Gates said that the vessel would be constructed in Slocan and that there was a certified shipwright in the Slocan area. After considering Transport Canada’s guidelines, they found that the optimum size for the ship would be 24 metres. The boat would have a maximum capacity of 50 people and the plan would be based on having 25 passengers on a regular basis. Both the exterior and interior would be made mostly of wood, possibly giving local woodworkers and craftspeople an opportunity to showcase their work. Research pointed to diesel as the least expensive and least polluting fuel for the boat. Amenities would include a restaurant, bicycle storage and a dog area.
Representatives recently met with Tourism BC and “they love the idea,” according to Ludlow, because it would tie the Rails to Trails network together.
Wharves will be necessary at the villages, but Ludlow said the immediate focus was to get the ship built. She said that preliminary research gave a rough estimate of the cost to build the paddlewheeler at $500,000. The group plans to apply for Spirit of 2010 funding for the project.
- by Kevan Brown View all news articles |
