Osoyoos Desert Centre cuts ceremonial ribbon for new boardwalk
MLA Roly Russell (in red) and Lee McFadyen, president of the Osoyoos Desert Society, cut the ceremonial ribbon to open the new boardwalk. At left is MP Richard Cannings. The walk was built over the winter by Osoyoos business C3 Industries, and was completed in early April. (Richard McGuire Photo)
A little rain and wind didn’t stop a ceremony to officially open the new 1.5-km boardwalk at the Osoyoos Desert Centre on Thursday, April 21 – the day before Earth Day.
The centre opens for visitors this Saturday, April 23.
Cutting the ceremonial ribbon were Boundary-Similkameen MLA Roly Russell and Lee McFadyen, president of the Osoyoos Desert Society.
The walkway was built over the winter by Osoyoos-based C3 Industries, and because of environmental sensitivity, pieces of the old, wooden boardwalk had to be flown out by a helicopter, which also brought in new materials.
C3 Industries completed the work in early April, only slightly later than their target date, despite a colder winter than usual, which shut down work during part of the winter.
The project received funding from the a provincial government program intended to help communities to upgrade tourism infrastructure in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Desert Centre draws an average of roughly 10,000 visitors each year from Canada and around the world.
In addition to Russell, MP Richard Cannings and Mayor Sue McKortoff also attended, as did staff from C3 Industries and volunteers and supporters of the Desert Centre.
Rain began falling as the speeches continued and guests clutched the canopies to stop them flapping in the wind, before moving to shelter to sip wine and nibble on cheese.
A “high point” of the ceremony was a couple of flyovers by migrating sandhill cranes, which flew below the dark clouds.
The Desert Centre introduces visitors to the unique plants and animals that live in this arid environment notable for its rare antelope brush.
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In early April, workers from Osoyoos-based C3 Industries put the final touches on the new boardwalk at the Osoyoos Desert Centre. The new boardwalk is a bit wider to accommodate wheelchairs and the surface is a composite material. (Richard McGuire Photo)Lee McFadyen (left), President of the Osoyoos Desert Society, and Jayme Friedt, Managing Director of the Osoyoos Desert Centre, look skyward at a large flock of sandhill cranes flying below the gathering rain clouds. (Richard McGuire Photo)A flock of sandhill cranes flies high above the Osoyoos Desert Centre as dignitaries below prepare to cut the ribbon on a new boardwalk. (Richard McGuire Photo)Jayme Friedt, managing director of the Osoyoos Desert Centre, gives thanks to those who helped accomplish the construction of their new boardwalk. This includes funding from the provincial government, the work by local business C3 Industries, as well as the efforts of many volunteers. (Richard McGuire Photo)As winds whip the tent canopies and it starts to sprinkle rain, dignitaries and guests watch introductory remarks at the official opening of the new boardwalk at the Osoyoos Desert Centre. (Richard McGuire Photo)As winds whip the tent canopies and it starts to sprinkle rain, dignitaries and guests watch introductory remarks at the official opening of the new boardwalk at the Osoyoos Desert Centre. Helping to hold down the tent (centre) is MP Richard Cannings, and to his right is MLA Roly Russell. (Richard McGuire Photo)MLA Roly Russell waves as he’s introduced at the opening of the new boardwalk at the Osoyoos Desert Centre. MP Richard Cannings gestures at the MLA. (Richard McGuire Photo)The sky darkened quickly above the Osoyoos Desert Centre, preparing to release rain, as dignitaries wrapped up their speeches. (Richard McGuire Photo)Osoyoos Mayor Sue McKortoff speaks at the official opening of the Osoyoos Desert Centre’s new boardwalk. (Richard McGuire Photo)Jayme Friedt, managing director of the Osoyoos Desert Centre, calls up MLA Roly Russell to give remarks. Funding for the boardwalk was provided by a BC government Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program grant. On average, roughly 10,000 guests visit the centre annually. (Richard McGuire Photo)Boundary-Similkameen MLA Roly Russell gives remarks at the official opening of the Osoyoos Desert Centre’s new boardwalk. The project received provincial funding from a grant to promote the recovery of the tourism industry in the wake of Covid-19. (Richard McGuire Photo)MLA Roly Russell (in red) and Lee McFadyen, president of the Osoyoos Desert Society, each make a cut in the ribbon, which flutters to the ground. MP Richard Cannings (left of Russell) and Peter Beckett, on the Desert Society’s board, appear amused. (Richard McGuire Photo)
