Equipment rentals, food services available for the summer at Riverside Park

A pilot project offering sports equipment rentals and increased food services at Riverside Park is now open to the public.

Bev DeSantis, CEO for Tourism Kamloops, said she is excited that Kamloops families and tourists can come to the park and try activities that historically have not been offered in the space.

“The beauty of getting community and visitors together is always that magical piece of destination development and experience,” DeSantis said.

Tourism Kamloops is heading up the project, with Kamloops Water Sport Rentals and Sea Legs Water Bikes contracted to rent out equipment from the concession stand.

Kayaks, canoes, water bikes and lawn games like spike ball, bocce and croquet will be available to rent each day from noon to 8 p.m. until Sept. 7.

Food vendors will also be set up at the concession building, which has been refreshed with murals, planters and a coat of paint.

“As much as we're with tourism, this is just as much a community project,” DeSantis said.

“Instead of sitting around on Saturday and saying, what are we going to do this afternoon, let's go to the park and do something we haven't done before. Without a huge investment and without a lot of thought, it's all done for you.”

Last month, city council voted in favour of allowing Tourism Kamloops to proceed with the pilot project after some discussion and debate.

Coun. Bill Sarai, who voted to approve the project, said he was excited to see the updated concession stand and the equipment being used in the river.

“To see it firsthand, this is above what was in my imagination,” Sarai said.

Sarai said the park has seemed tired, and although there are activities for children at Riverside, there hasn’t been much offered for youth and adults.

“This is an amazing opportunity to rent a game, play bocce ball, chess, lawn darts, there's so much to do that you can pick and choose for the whole day. And still, if you want to use a park for reading a book, there's lots of spaces to do that,” Sarai said.

Sarai tested out a water bike along the river, and said it was a lot of fun.

“We weren't sure about the water sports, what they were going to offer, and we were a little bit concerned as we're not on a lake, we’re on a river with the current, but it was amazing,” he said.

“It's safe, education-wise the people that are running it are very well trained and respectful and responsible. That, as a councillor, is one of my biggest takes.”

Two staff members with Kamloops Water Sport Rentals, Tate Solomonson and Cassie McNutt, said they are looking forward to seeing people out on the water and having fun.

"We're pretty lucky to have what we have here with the river,” Solomonson said.

“It's just nice to be able to share this with people, and get people out and safe is the best thing. There's no stress and everyone's having fun.”

Cassie McNutt said their aim is to help people make the most of the park.

“Just make the most out of summer and get Riverside Park started up again, and make it fun for everyone who's visiting,” McNutt said.

“It's great to be able to hopefully start up again from COVID, not a lot of people have been doing very much. So it's a good chance for people to start getting back to normal.”