Photo: Contributed - UNHCR.

UPDATE: 11:38 a.m.

A military spokesperson has stated that it is not yet determined whether the Vernon cadet camp will be used for government-sponsored refugees heading for Canada from refugee camps in the Middle East.

A plan “is still being worked on,” said Lt.-Commander Desmond James of Joint Task Force Pacific.

“We're still developing the lodging plans.”

However James confirmed there is no work being done to winterize the rows of barracks. They are not heated.

He said 6,000 Syrians would be heading for Ontario and Quebec while 7,000 were expected to be farmed out across the country “if need be.”

“We're still refining details,” James said.

James said the Department of National Defence would not being housing privately-sponsored refugees.

“Not yet,” is the reply from Vernon and District Immigrant Services when asked if there is word of Syrian refugees on the way to Vernon.

“It's a tad early for Vernon,” said Betty Koop.

The newly-formed North Okanagan Refugee Committee is working from the same office.

“We're ready,” said Koop, who questioned whether some refugees would be placed at the cadet camp barracks on Highway 97.

Koop pointed to private sponsorships as much more comfortable. A number of churches in the North Okanagan have offered to help Syrian families.

Although a camp spokesperson has said the barracks are not winterized, there is still speculation they could be used for refugees down the road.

A spokesperson in Victoria, in charge of the cadet camp program, said all inquiries are now being handled by the Department of Defence in Ottawa. A call to DND has not yet been returned. 

“We're on the edge of seats,” said Koop, as the wait continues for word of when needy families may arrive.