It91裸聊视频檚 a scene many in Penticton have waited years to see: the Skaha Lake Marina hosting dragon boaters and beach-goers alike for an ice-cold beverage and bite to eat on a warm day by the water.

That picture became reality this weekend, thanks to the opening of the Dragonboat Pub.

91裸聊视频淭here91裸聊视频檚 a massive population density in the south end of Penticton that is not being serviced,91裸聊视频� said Keith Corbett, the pub91裸聊视频檚 general manager. 91裸聊视频淭here are great places in the area, don91裸聊视频檛 get me wrong, but I think people need a place to go where they can have a casual drink, and a casual bite to eat.91裸聊视频�

The pub officially opened Friday, June 9, with no shortage of local flair.

Upon arrival, it91裸聊视频檚 hard to ignore all that91裸聊视频檚 outside of the restaurant 91裸聊视频� new garden space and a pair of canoes, one of which is designed by Penticton Indian Band artist Clinton George. In recognition of the pub91裸聊视频檚 opening, George crafted a piece called 91裸聊视频淪teelhead,91裸聊视频� meant to encapsulate the spirit of dragon boat racing and the storied past of Skaha Lake.

Bypass the pet-friendly patio, walk through the doors of the pub and you91裸聊视频檒l notice more dragon boat-themed art, as well as old photos of the lake that date back several decades.

Local artist Jenny Long painted a mural of waves, which can be seen in the interior. The paintings of Indigenous Syilx artist Cody Lecoy can also be seen at a table inside the pub.

91裸聊视频淲e want to be all about Penticton,91裸聊视频� Corbett said. 91裸聊视频淎 pub that shows how great it is.91裸聊视频�

Whether it91裸聊视频檚 a coincidence or not, the Dragonboat Pub opened its doors at just about the perfect time.

Hundreds of dragon boaters across 16 regional teams are currently in Penticton this weekend for the annual Okanagan Sprints event.

Many of the paddlers on Saturday, June 10, were eager to find out what the buzz surrounding the new pub is all about.

91裸聊视频淲e already feel so connected to the pub, and all they91裸聊视频檝e done inside it as well makes it feel so much like home,91裸聊视频� said Thyra Carroll from the Penticton Paddle Sports Association.

91裸聊视频淭o me, in a lot of ways, it91裸聊视频檚 their area,91裸聊视频� Corbett said about the local dragon boat athletes. 91裸聊视频淚t made a lot of sense to name it after them.91裸聊视频�

At 9:30 a.m., dragon boaters and spectators alike could already be seen grabbing breakfast and enjoying the south-end views the pub has to offer.

But what about when it91裸聊视频檚 the middle of January and there91裸聊视频檚 no dragon boat races to be had?

Corbett thinks he91裸聊视频檚 got that covered.

91裸聊视频淭here91裸聊视频檚 lots we can do in the offseason,91裸聊视频� he began. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 a warm cozy spot with a fireplace and I91裸聊视频檓 thinking we could maybe even get some skating going on in the winter if the weather91裸聊视频檚 good for it.91裸聊视频�

The restaurant broke ground in October 2022, after the city91裸聊视频檚 previous council agreed to a 25-year deal with the Penticton Yacht Club to operate the marina. The site used to be home to Naughty Dog Cafe.

Renovations to the site were budgeted at $2.5 million.

It currently employs more than 40 people but Corbett says that number will likely grow closer to 60 once operation this summer continues.

91裸聊视频淚t feels great to finally be open,91裸聊视频� Corbett said. 91裸聊视频淚 hope the people of Penticton can join us regularly.91裸聊视频�

logan.lockhart@pentictonwesternnews.com