The best place to catch a glimpse of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge September 27 in Kelowna is at UBC Okanagan. The only problem is, accessing the campus isn’t all that easy.
READ MORE: Where can you see Will and Kate in the Okanagan?
There are only three roads into the university and once you get there parking is at a premium on the best of days.
“The challenge is the transportation and how people are going to get to campus,” said university relations director Bud Mortenson.
Upwards of 10,000 students and staff fill the university everyday. And while we don’t know how many people are coming for the royal visit, estimates are in the tens of thousands.
READ MORE: Royal ready: how to prepare for Will and Kate’s Okanagan visit
There will be no public parking on campus for the event but there will be limited pay parking north of the university on undeveloped commercial land. UBCO staff are still figuring out how many spots will be available and how much parking will cost at the alternate location.
Mortenson advises anyone wanting to take in the event to take public transit.
B.C. Transit echoes that sentiment, adding five extra Hwy 97 buses and two non-stop shuttles will be running from the Queensway bus loop between 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
“We are anticipating it to be busy, so we would ask people to arrive early and please be patient with staff on transit,” said B.C. transit communications manager Jonathon Dyck.
Will and Kate are scheduled to arrive at UBC Okanagan at 12:35 p.m. They will first stop at the university centre building and talk with some students. Next the couple will move through the promenade to the courtyard for a public ceremony before they head to the gymnasium for a inter-squad women’s volleyball game.
Will and Kate are expected to finish up at UBC Okanagan at 1:40 p.m. and start making their way to Mission Hill Winery for an invite-only event.
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