Your City Hall just approved new downtown patios

Good morning from the Okanagan — the lake is calm, the vines are growing, and we have things to discuss.

Okay, but here's the thing nobody talks about: summer is coming, and City Hall just made it easier to enjoy it downtown. The City of Kelowna issued *35 new seasonal patio permits* along Bernard Avenue and the surrounding core as of last week. This is huge for local spots and for us who love grabbing a bite near the Ogopogo statue. That's a 25% increase from last year's permits, according to the City's Business Licensing department.

The new permits mean you’ll see more outdoor seating popping up from Abbott Street all the way down to Richter. Think about those long, sunny evenings near City Park Beach. It's a clear signal from Council that they're trying to revitalize the pedestrian experience after the slowdowns of the past few years.

* 35 new seasonal patio permits issued

* Concentrated along Bernard Avenue and downtown core

* 25% increase over last year’s permits

* Expected to boost local business and pedestrian activity

This is a win for local businesses and for all of us who want to soak up the Okanagan sunshine. It also means we’ll need to watch parking and pedestrian flow in the coming weeks, but for now, get ready for some serious al fresco dining.

Nina Papadimitriou, MiTL Sports Desk, Kelowna.

The Morning Wire crew is talking about this and more — tune in live at mornings.live.