O'Keefe Ranch
A request for a $150,000 operating grant was soundly rejected by Vernon council. No discussion was had during the motion, as the previous resolution, passed on Sept. 23 was suggested by administration, then passed by council. The resolution was to continue to 'honour' the terms of the lease agreement, which requires $10,000 yearly payment until its expiration on March 31, 2027.
For a more comprehensive analysis of the O'Keefe Ranch/City of Vernon battle, click here.
Low-income housing
A new, low-income housing project took another positive step forward at council.
Located at 6545 Okanagan Landing Rd., near Vernon's Marshall Field, the new project will see 96 units created.
Called A Place to Call Home, the fundraising was done through the Okanagan Village Housing Society, after raising $1 million through an anonymous donor.
However, Mayor Victor Cumming questioned the location.
"I am really struggling with this, as first of all it doesn't match the Official Community Plan, but secondly the location. We are building something here, with 96 units, that is five kilometres from main services and two km's to a grocery store."
"We are assuming that everyone there will have a vehicle when the reality is that they won't."
Councillor's Brian Quiring and Kari Gares "respectfully" disagreed with the mayor's statement.
"This is really what I would consider proximity," said Quiring. "I don't get why we wouldn't approve this."
Quiring explained that the area is on a major transit corridor, within a km of Ellison Elementary, Fulton High School and near playgrounds and other amenities.
"Based on what we just heard from the Housing Needs assessment, this is exactly what we need."
Gares added that she thought the location was "well-placed."
"Bottom line is that you can pinpoint anywhere in Vernon and it would be a one to two km venture out to go to a shopping centre, even in your downtown core," said Gares. "The amenities are there."
Council approved the motion to take the project to the next step, which will be an open house, along with a referral to the City of Vernon Advisory Planning Committee for review and recommendation to council.
Rec Services
Spring and summer made a big splash when it comes to recreation programs and services from the city.
According to Gary Lefebvre, manager of aquatics, the city had "huge success" with the hosting of the Esso Cup, Swim B.C. North and Interior Summer Divisional Championships and a new beach volleyball tournament at Kal Beach.
In comparison to last year, numbers were slightly down in most swimming programs. Swim lessons, school lessons, lifesaving programs all declined.
"We will be redoubling our efforts to try and get more participation," said Lefebvre, who also mentioned the decrease in drop-in indoor swims.
"However, our outdoor pools had over 15,000 participants at the Peanut Pool, which was likely a reflection of the smoke-free summer we had, so people were going to the outdoor facilities more than indoor."'
