To the editor:

I feel that I must respond to the misinformation that has been put forth regarding the proposed visitors center on the current site of a parking lot on the Queensway Jetty. This building is setback from the water more than twice the distance of the yacht club with public access to the water on all sides. The second floor offices have been removed completely and Tourism Kelowna administration now has a long term lease on new office space downtown, so the comment that offices can be 香蕉视频直播渁dded at a later date香蕉视频直播� is fear mongering and a complete falsehood.

As for blocking the view of the lake, who香蕉视频直播檚 view is being obstructed? The pedestrian walkway is between the building and the lake so pedestrian views are maintained. Mill Street is slated to be closed whether this centre is built or not, so the lack of sightlines from vehicles isn香蕉视频直播檛 an issue in the area.  The nearest building will be the new 20 story hotel behind the proposed tourism center, so I don香蕉视频直播檛 believe a 3,000 square foot building will impact their operation.

I also take exception to the detractors chastising the city for 香蕉视频直播渃aving in to a special interest group香蕉视频直播�

This is hardly a special interest group. The tourism industry is one of the largest industries in the city. It is an industry that provides employment for thousands of people and pays millions in taxes every year that benefit all residents.

The need for the center in a high profile location such as this has been well researched and is backed by facts, not fabrications and misinformation. The livelihoods of my 100 staff relies on Kelowna being able to attract customers and increase the amount of time and money that is spent in our city. We look to Tourism Kelowna to do the bulk of this work. We need to give them the tools to do it.

Sincerely,

Stan Martindale, General Manager, Kelowna Ramada