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The general manager of O'Keefe Ranch has asked Vernon city council to rethink a 2013 decision to slash funding for the historic site.
Glen Taylor says the ranch, which is two weeks older than Canada, has come a long way over the last few years.
“We're looking at ways of trying to extend our season.”
Taylor said attendance at the ranch reached an all-time high in 2015 with 36,000 visitors. He said 3,000 students from the region visit the ranch each year as part of a school program.
He said $224,000 had been spent on capital works over the last five years, including major renovations to St. Anne's church, while another $112,000 was in reserves for further capital projects.
The RV park has power and water hookups, with the energy system slated to go on line in two or three weeks.
High praise was given to volunteers who contributed 8,350 man hours last year.
“Without them, we couldn't do the work,” said Taylor.
But the news wasn't all good.
Ranch staff are asking for council not to cut its $150,000 a year grant.
In an effort to force the ranch to become self-sufficient, council decided three years ago that the grant would be reduced by $50,000 in 2017, another $50,000 in 2018 and then $40,000 in 2019.
A study shows if gates were closed to the public the ranch would still cost the city $140,000 annually, said Taylor, who then asked council to review its 2013 decision to cut monies to the ranch and “to see them retained at the levels they are at this point.”
O'Keefe Ranch has further worries over current funding from the arts council.
It has been “caught between a rock and a hard place” over efforts to bring in extra cash, with the council complaining O'Keefe officials were “deviating from our mandate” to focus on heritage, Taylor said.
The general manager sent a letter in return explaining the ranch had 50 acres of land to utilize and draw extra cash without diminishing the heritage portion.
“I think we can keep them on board,” said Taylor told council response to questions.
