KELOWNA — An Okanagan Lake passenger ship that hasn’t been in operation for the last eight years is looking to get back into business.
The Fintry Queen will be celebrating its 70th birthday next year, and the vessel’s current owner wants to demonstrate its popularity and economic viability.
“This is my last effort to save this ship,” said owner Andy Schwab. “For the past two years, I have been petitioning communities throughout this valley for landing locations, while searching for the investment dollars to build them.”
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“We need to demonstrate the public demand and support for this historic ship, to continue those initiatives before city councils.”
Earlier this year, Kelowna city council rejected Schwab’s proposal of providing moorage along the City Park waterfront.
Schwab now has a goal of selling $10 daily cruise sailings for trips in 2017. He’s hoping to sell 10,000 tickets by July 31, 2016 to illustrate the Queen’s popularity.
He says the revenue will go towards renovating and re-certifying the ship.
“If we do not reach our objective and if the ship is not sailing in 2017, we will refund all the tickets purchased,” said Schwab.
Tickets can be purchased here.
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