Update 13 February, 2016:

As described in the follow-on story in The Herald, the RDOS has withdrawn its opposition to this project until the source of the funds has been clarified.  There are two components:

1. A $110K design plan for the trail segment between Summerland and Penticton
2. The $4-$10M construction of the trail segment.

Our understanding was that both the design plan and the construction would be partnerships with the province, meaning the RDOS (including Penticton and Summerland) would be expected to contribute a significant portion of the funding.  Even if the construction costs were at the lower end of the $4M-$10M range, the project would be too expensive for the RDOS.  Hence our original refusal to participate.

Attention Westwood Properties residents: Please do the following if you can see the West Bench reservoir:

1. stand on your deck
2. take a picture of the reservoir as you see it
3. email the picture to me at mbrydon@rdos.bc.ca.

Why? We want to know how an expansion of the reservoir might impact your view.

Here is the reservoir from my deck.  I can see it, but it does not dominate the scene.  We want to know what you see so we are asking you to show us.

The idea arose a couple of years ago to install a sign at the bottom of West Bench Hill Road.  As I see it, the sign could serve three purposes:

1. Commemorate the establishment of the West Bench as a Veterans' Land Act project.  In this sense, it is Part B of the Selby Park tribute.
2. Mark the starting point of the walking path.
3. Better establish the idea of the West Bench (broadly defined to include Sage Mesa, Husula Highlands, etc.) as a place distinct from Penticton.

Given these objectives, we have been toying with a few potential designs.  Below is a photo of the West Bench Hill Road as now seen by traffic heading to Kelowna on Highway 97 ^{(see note 1)}: