CARE for Kalamalka Lake Access

01/25/2026

I'm not sure if you have followed the most recent committee of the whole meeting where they discussed the Kal Lake accesses, but there are some additional recommendations coming forward to this Monday's meeting (Jan 26). This item is quite late in the meeting ( #10), so there's no need to show up by 6:00 unless you intend to ask questions of Council.

The link to the meeting agenda is below:
https://coldstream.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Id=1925

Scroll down to find the reports and recommendations that will be coming forward. The one report lists a number of items that have come forward from meetings and public consultations. Personally , I'm disappointed to see that they aren't making a decision to take action around improvements to Shady Beach where the shoreline and root structures are so problematic. They seem to have gotten our message around parking issues, and I think it's important to continue to push on that. After reading the report , you may have additional concerns and questions. Please comment below if you have ideas, and let us know if you are able to attend the meeting. As always, continued public participation shows our interest and insistence that council address these issues.

11/07/2025

On Monday November 10 at 6 pm, Coldstream Council will be receiving and discussing the report from the Open House regarding all 13 lake access points on the North end of Kalamalka Lake.https://coldstream.civicweb.net/FileStorage/23E088520DAC47C1807BE4F9AF57EE7D-251110-CnclRpt-LakeAccessOpenHouseResults.pdf This includes motorized and non-motorized boat launches, dog beaches, swimming areas, parking, improved safety (pathways and stairs) and accessibility.

It is important to have people in the seats to show our interest and concern, and I do hope some people will plan to speak at the beginning of the meeting. I would suggest that you highlight the need to find balance in making these decisions, to the benefit of our entire community.

Council will likely propose motions and financial commitments to making improvements and changes. We have worked hard to get Council to look at the overall plan, in order to reduce pressure on a few spots. This is where they will discuss shared use at access points, and capital projects to improve safe access.

Thank you for your continued engagement!

10/17/2025

For those who were unable to attend the public open house on Thursday, October 16, there are additional ways to get involved:

Complete the Online Survey (linked below) – Share your feedback until October 31, 2025.
Email Submissions – Other comments and suggestions can be sent directly to [email protected].

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TXZ2P6S

10/06/2025

Mark your calendars for this Open House- where Coldstream Council will be hearing your feedback about all 13 lake access points on the North end of Kalamalka Lake. This includes motorized and non-motorized boat launches, dog beaches, swimming areas, parking, improved safety (pathways and stairs) and accessibility.

🤔 Did you know? Coldstream has 13 public access points on Kalamalka Lake! 🌊

One of them — Long Lake Beach, located off Tamarack Drive — boasts a beautiful west-facing shoreline 🌅 perfect for sunsets.

💬 What amenities do you think this beach and other community beaches should have?

📣Join us for a Public Open House
🗓 October 16th | ⏰ 4–7 PM
📍 Coldstream Community Hall

Come share your 💡 ideas and feedback!

Can’t attend in person? Send written submissions to [email protected]

09/08/2025

Hi folks,
If you are planning to attend the Council meeting tomorrow night, it will be at the municipal office, NOT in Lavington.

08/24/2025

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS: On September 2 (6 pm) Coldstream Council will be bringing a report about ALL the Kal Lake access points. They are looking at safe pathways, motorized and non-motorized launches, dog beach access, and hopefully have considered parking issues.

Although there is not a public opportunity to speak at this meeting (it is a Committee of the Whole meeting), the meeting is open to the public to hear the conversations. After that, any recommendations will come forward to the September 8th Coldstream Council meeting, where there is an opportunity for the public to comment.

07/11/2025

Have you been enjoying the dog beach at Pumphouse? (There is a cool vibe down there this year, with lots of families hanging out with their kids and dogs!) Remember, this is only a pilot project, and if we want to keep it, we need to send in messages of support.

Do you have opinions about improvements for the lake access points on Westkal Road? (Or even improvements at Pumphouse?) Council has asked for a report by August 25th with considerations for the uses and improvements of those spaces.

Please use this link to share your thoughts.
https://www.coldstream.ca/contact-district

05/25/2025

PLEASE email Mayor and Council! It is important that they know how many people this is affecting.... especially after losing access on Westkal Road last year. We have heard that there are some emails coming in that are against having dogs in parks and on a beach!!!

05/24/2025

There is a LOT to report. We are making GREAT progress. We need your attendance and support on MONDAY, MAY 26. Please plan to attend, and bring friends who are wanting to see Council make these changes!

Council will be considering a ONE YEAR PILOT PROJECT, starting in mid-June, to allow Pumphouse Beach as a dog beach.

Council will also be discussing the North Kal Neighbourhood Plan (see link to document in comments) to be included as a section in the 2025 Official Community Plan.
This proposes some key elements within the next year:
1. Review Parks and Public Spaces Bylaw to ensure designated dog parks, beaches and other regulations comply with plan goals.
2. Assess current accesses to Kalamalka Lake and identify improvements. Conduct a review of the conditions, land tenure and suitability of all lake Accesses, and develop plans for improvements as budget allows.
3. Assess public beach accesses along Westkal Road, including Pumphouse beach, for safety improvements and suitability of use (ie: hand launches and dog beaches) as well as parking.
4. As longer term plan (1-3 years): Develop a neighbourhood parking strategy, including identifying areas for new parking or making better use of existing space. This may eventually lead to land acquisition.

The meeting starts at 6 pm, and there is an opportunity to ask questions or address Council near the beginning of the meeting. However, "our" items are later in the agenda so if you can make it at some point, it is helpful. We have had several Council members encouraging us to continue to attend because, as they put it, "IT IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE".

05/17/2025

(Please see the documents in the link below.)

On Tuesday, May 20th at 6 pm....The Coldstream Council Long Range Planning committee will be considering the formal plan for Pumphouse to be an off leash dog beach, as a one year pilot. They will discuss whether to start this in mid June, or wait until September (ugh!).

They will also be discussing elements of the North Kal Neighborhood Plan, including a shorter term plan to improve accessibility to the lake along Westkal Road, and a longer term plan to improve parking and paths (stairs, walkways) along the lake (including Westkal to Kickwillie).

We need continued attendance of concerned residents. Bring an interested friend, as new faces will help our case!!

If you can't make it, please consider sending an email to ALL the Councillors and the Mayor. I think it would be good to express frustration with the delays, especially considering actions were taken so quickly to RESTRICT access with NO involvement of Council. Call on them to respond to the concerns of the broader community, and citizens of Coldstream.

http://coldstream.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Id=1844&outputType=1

05/12/2025

Council will be discussing the attached "work plan" tomorrow night (May 12 6 p.m.). This is follow up on motions passed on October 28, and April 28. After this work plan is complete, "a report will be presented to Council in September, 2025, prior to the Finance Committee meeting in October so that any projects Council would like to see move forward in 2026 can be appropriately budgeted."

Some concerns/ questions would be: what is happening in the meantime? Will Council proceed with the Pumphouse Beach pilot? Will there be work completed to improve some of the access points on Westkal (as these create risk and potential liability for the city)?

It would be great to see some "new" faces. We don't want Council to think there are only a few of us still engaged.