Owner takes another crack to return Fintry Queen service to Okanagan

The owner of the historical Fintry Queen is seeking support to transform the boat into a South Okanagan ferry service once again.

Earlier this week, owner Andy Schwab appealed to Summerland council, asking for support for a $500,000 federal loan application that would see the ferry turned into a sightseeing boat in the South Okanagan, travelling around Penticton, Naramata and Summerland with the possibility of expanding into the Central Okanagan.

Council voted in favour of supporting the loan, during its regular council meeting, Feb. 28. Plans for the Fintry Queen include a 10-day “sea trial" this fall with regular ferry service starting in May 2023, according to documents presented during the meeting.

At this time, Schwab is presenting to various South Okanagan groups to gather support for the loan application and is still waiting to hear back whether he will get it. He will also be asking for Penticton council’s endorsement later this month.

“I’m pretty excited actually, it’s like a 20-year thing for me, so I’m excited to make this happen,” he said.

When the Okanagan Lake Bridge opened in 1958, it was the death knell for the three ferries that plied the Narrows between Kelowna and Westbank.

Only one, the MV Lequime, remained on any kind of active duty on the lake, being converted to a replica paddlewheeler and renamed the Fintry Queen.

It went through various owners and formats from taking tourists to Fintry to being a floating restaurant to a tour boat, but it has spent most of the last decade out of operation.

READ MORE: 'Boat of fun:' Working on the Fintry Queen in its heyday

Schwab first became involved with the Fintry Queen in 1999-2000 and said he struck with it, despite setbacks, because he loves to be on Okanagan Lake.

“I like to give that feeling to other people and there’s not many things you can do with your 80-year-old mom and your two-year-old niece or nephew where five-or-six of you can do something outside for the day and it puts everyone in that special place and creates memories for people.”

The plan for the Fintry Queen would be to take passengers around the lake where they’re able to make stops to visit restaurants, parks and wineries, he said. Tickets would be purchased daily, with passengers being allowed to hop on and hop off whenever they want. Travel around the South Okanagan would take roughly two hours, according to his presentation.

If approved, the loan will be used to assist with the cost of developing public use landings and dock infrastructure for the boat and Schwab is working with provincial and municipal organizations, according to the city documents. Schwab is also looking for investors.

READ MORE: The Fintry Queen is looking to ferry passengers on Okanagan Lake once again

The ship can carry up to 300 people and is in working order, he said.

He doesn’t have a timeframe of when he will be approved for the loan, he said, but said so far “everyone has been 100% behind it.”

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