Park referendum approved

Photo: Contributed

UPDATE SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 11 P.M.

Voters in Okanagan Falls and the Heritage Hills area have narrowly approved the borrowing of $950,000 to purchase parkland within the Okanagan Falls and District recreation service area.

Results of Saturday's referendum came in shortly before 10 p.m.

Of the 526 votes cast during advance polls and general voting 294 (55.9%) said yes while 232 (44.1%) said no.

The purchase of the Okanagan Falls property — located at 605 Willow Street, northeast of Christie Memorial Park — will provide for unbroken access along the Skaha Lake shoreline from Lion’s Park to Main Street.

Okanagan Falls and Heritage Hills residents are being asked to say yes on April 25 to allow the purchase of parkland in two communities.

“We have a unique opportunity to acquire a valuable piece of lakefront property for community use in Okanagan Falls and add a park property in Heritage Hills,” explained Commission chair Don Clark. 

“But we have to act now — especially in Okanagan Falls. If this property is sold to a private purchaser, we’ll likely lose this chance forever.”

The purchase of the Okanagan Falls property — located at 605 Willow Street, northeast of Christie Memorial Park — would provide for unbroken access along the Skaha Lake shoreline from Lion’s Park to Main Street.

"We want to have a walkway that takes you all the way along the waterfront, from our current park to the boat launch," said Clark. 

In Heritage Hills, the addition of $200,000 in funding would complement an existing $250,000 in dedicated parkland funds and the generous donation of property by local developer Johnny Aangtes.

“Heritage Hills has been without a park space for far too long. You just need a place to walk your pet or maybe you just want to take the kids to throw a ball and an open space where it's green and it's pleasant,” said Clark. “We can remedy that situation with a positive outcome on April 25."

The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen is asking voters living within the Okanagan Falls & District Recreation Service Area to approve the borrowing of $950,000 to secure both properties. With the amount to be paid back over 20 years, that would cost the average homeowner about $32 a year — or less than $3 a month.

“We believe this is in the best interest of those living in the community today and for those living in the community 20 and 30 years from now,” Clark said. "I certainly expect it to be successful, I'm not hearing very many negative comments, but there's always going to be people that oppose anything you would do."

“We’re encouraging all voters living in the service area to vote yes on Saturday.”

Voting will be held Saturday, April 25, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. at Okanagan Falls Elementary School, located at 1141 Cedar Street.

If the vote does not pass, the agreement to purchase the land will be negated and the property will be on the open market again. 

Voters looking for more information can visit www.okfalls.net and select the Parks Purchase link.

Photo: Contributed