Parkland up to voters

Photo: Contributed

The CSRD is interested in purchasing land for a new park in Blind Bay.

Blind Bay residents may be getting a new park.

The Columbia Shuswap Regional District is looking to purchase 9.5 acres of land currently known as Centennial Field in Blind Bay for the development of a community park.

The parcels of land at 2690 Centennial Dr. and 2546 Blind Bay Rd. are currently owned by Shuswap Lake Estates Ltd. and Shuswap West Developments Ltd.

The $2.75 million purchase would be conditional on the successful approval of voters in Electoral Area C to allow for the borrowing of money for the land.

At the June 20 regular board meeting, directors will consider three readings of bylaws to establish a service area in Electoral Area C to develop Centennial Field Community Park and also to give the CSRD the authority to borrow up to $2,025,000 for the purchase.

The alternative approval process will be used to obtain the voter's consent for the loan and 10 per cent of the electorate in Electoral Area C would need to make a formal petition against the proposed borrowing if they are not in support.

If that 10 per cent threshold is reached, the board would not be able to proceed without holding a full-scale referendum.

The purchase agreement would also be subject to the subdivision of a portion of the property on the south side of Centennial Drive, which will remove the Shuswap Lake Waterworks building from the proposed park site.

The development of a community park in Blind Bay was a key recommendation of the Electoral Area C Parks Master Plan, which was produced in 2017. This site is already a significant one for the community, as it already has a history of recreational uses.