Bernard Avenue reopening to traffic Sept. 9

The traditional end of summer will also bring an end to a pilot program in downtown Kelowna.

Monday Sept. 7 will be the final full day of the city’s temporary Bernard roadway program that saw enlarged patios and pedestrians on Bernard Avenue.

Temporary fencing, benches and furniture will be removed on Tuesday and the road will resume operations on Wednesday Sept. 9.

“Finding an innovative use of public space to create a socially distanced pedestrian zone and to allow businesses to expand customer capacity this year was critical,” said JoAnne Adamson, Manager, Property Management.

Council approved using public space on Bernard Avenue as patio space to help businesses enhance capacity, including a proposal to limit the majority of the road to pedestrians in May.

Staff will be evaluating resident, visitor and business reaction to the program this year and expect to make recommendations to council next year.

Visit kelowna.ca/business-services/permits-licences/sidewalk-cafs to learn more about the patio programs.