Photo: Contributed

Red shows non-essential Naramata Centre properties

Significant change could be coming to Naramata village, as the Naramata Centre moves to sell off parts of its 23-acre property in a bid to secure financial sustainability.

The United Church retreat centre reopened in 2016 with a revised business model following a two-year closure. Last week, the centre met with the community to unveil what land they have determined as “non-core" properties.

“That’s the land with potential for some sort of development, it doesn’t mean we are selling all of the non-core, that’s just where the conversation is going to be,” Jim Simpson said.

While the centre traditionally generated some revenue renting out its facilities to other community groups, those funds are no longer able to pay for upkeep.

An expression of interest will be issued to the development community in the next few weeks, but Simpson is adamant that they will not be just putting up a for-sale sign and walking away.

“We want to partner with a developer who has a strong track record in community consultation work,” he said. “Our reality is, we are going to be neighbours to whatever development occurs.”

The centre’s assets include 35-odd buildings spread across 23 acres. In operation since 1948, thousands of people travel to the retreat every summer.

Most of the property is uniquely zoned for the centre, so any development will almost certainly require RDOS rezoning, approval and public consultation on top of what the centre’s board is planning.

“There are a number of gatekeepers,” Simpson said. “We want to try to work proactively with a developer to have something here that makes sense both for the centre and the Naramata community.”

Simpson says they hope to see something “real and concrete” happening with the potential development within the next 12 to 18 months.