A West Kelowna-area business owner is suffering a huge loss due to Okanagan Lake91裸聊视频檚 rising waters.

Whiplash Cable Parks sits on the water, just across the Bennett Bridge.

91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 been awful, to say the least. The business is going to take a tremendous hit,91裸聊视频� said owner Conrad Wiker.

Typically, the wakeboarding park opens May long weekend but it depends on mother nature. The business has been unable to start operations as Wiker has deemed it unsafe.

91裸聊视频淭he Okanagan Lake is the crown jewel, it91裸聊视频檚 what brings people to the Okanagan and for the first time ever it91裸聊视频檚 working against us,91裸聊视频� he said.

Chris Shauf, director of marketing and communications with Tourism Kelowna said despite the rising waters, business has been operating as usual for the spring tourist season.

91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e still seeing strong indications of visitation. Now we know it91裸聊视频檚 going to have an impact on specific water-based businesses and our visitor centre is working closely with visitor attractions to (ensure information provided to tourists is up to date.)91裸聊视频�

The visitor centre receives up to 10 calls a day about the rising levels in Okanagan Lake, said Shauf.

At Whiplash Cable Parks, the business is prepared for preserving public safety, but can91裸聊视频檛 prepare for the financial impact of the flood, said Wiker.

91裸聊视频淯nfortunately due to these situations, we91裸聊视频檙e not just looking at when the water goes down we can open up. We have to have the ability to assess the situation, make repairs, ensure public safety and ensure there are no environmental concerns,91裸聊视频� he said.

91裸聊视频淭he reality of it is, this is going to hurt not just our business. We91裸聊视频檝e received calls from people who are planning their vacation around coming to us who have cancelled their hotels and other activities because they91裸聊视频檙e nervous about the situation here.91裸聊视频�

The docks are currently underwater but are built to withstand the impact of storms. Wiker is asking the public for assistance in locating a white wakeboard ramp, which he thinks has floated away and is somewhere on Okanagan Lake.

91裸聊视频淲hen the water recedes we91裸聊视频檒l see the damages and repair from there,91裸聊视频� he said.

Wiker doesn91裸聊视频檛 believe he will be able to receive any financial assistance.

The provincial government is providing disaster financial assurance for homes affected by flooding and does provide assistance for small business owners, but .

The business also sits on Westbank First Nation land. According to WFN communications and economic development officer Kristy Jean, the WFN does not offer financial assistance to businesses, but does provide sandbags as part of the Emergency Operations Centre for businesses to 91裸聊视频渟elf help.91裸聊视频�

She said there are options for financial assistance through the provincial government.

carli.berry@kelownacapnews.com
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