The Greater Kirkland Chamber of Commerce board supports Seaplane Scenics. I observed the plane as it taxied out 1,000 feet from the shore before take-off. The Kirkland Chamber has regular business lunches in a tent next to the Seaplane Scenics dock. Unless someone drew your attention to it, you would not be aware of the plane when it takes off. The sound is minimal to the jet-skis, motor boats, boats with boom boxes, cars cruising the waterfront, and other mechanical noises that populate Lake Washington.

Kenmore Air has been flying out of the head of Lake Washington for decades. Private seaplanes fly out of Yarrow Bay and Hunts Point. There have been no recorded incidents of swimmers, paddle-boarders, and boats endangered by these planes. To the contrary, all accidents and fatalities have been from other boaters on the lake.

The downtown marina was developed to attract as many tourists possible to visit Kirkland via boat. Tourism is also a vital part of the City’s economic development plans. Carillon Properties would not support Seaplane Scenics operating outside the Woodmark Hotel if it was opposed by hotel management, tourists at the hotel, and others working at Carillon Point.

Christina Lehman, Marketing Manager at the Woodmark Hotel and Spa says, “We have discussed this internally and we are advocating on behalf of Seaplane Scenics as well – We can say universally that Seaplane Scenics provides great value to our guests, as well as locals that book tours, and generates significant interest and draw to the greater Eastside.

It is a competitive advantage to have this offering in our region as it offers a unique and authentic PNW experience, and we have had very positive feedback. Low impact tourism experiences are good economic sense and we will be advocating on behalf of Seaplane Scenics.

Bruce Wynn, Greater Kirkland Chamber of Commerce director