Eyes on BX ranch land

Photo: BX Ranchland Task Force

Paul Williamson stands in front of BX ranch land.

The possible sale of 55 hectares of BX ranch land has sparked some concern, with a community group hoping to save it for public use.

The BX Ranch Land Task Force, a group of concerned citizens, will be providing information on the historic land and getting public input during a presentation at the Schubert Centre on Tuesday, Nov. 21 from 7-9 p.m. Everyone is welcome.

“We feel this property can be kept as open green space and one possible use is a community agricultural park,” stated a Facebook post by the group.
The North Okanagan Regional District spent $2.315 million to purchase 166.96 acres of ranch land in the BX area last year, in order to provide trail connectivity between BX Road near BX Ranch Dog Park, Mutrie Dog Park, the Wetlands bird sanctuary and Black Rock Park. The entire property is within the Agricultural Land Reserve.

Paul Williamson, task force spokesperson, said there is fear the regional district will sell a 55 acre chunk of the land on the open market.

He said people should know what the community is losing and what type of farm could be situated on the land.

“There are some farms that could cause conflict,” Williamson said. “Cherries, for instance, a feed lot, a hog farm or a chicken farm. They are not suitable as farm use when they are next to a city.”

The task force is hoping to have 1,500 signatures on its petition by the time it is presented to a meeting of the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee on Dec. 7th.