Province says it doesn’t have the budget for park expansion proposal

Jul 9, 2020 | 4:47 PM

The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce continues to push the provincial government to expand Ellison Provincial Park, despite Victoria saying it doesn’t have the funding for it.

Vernon council passed a motion last month asking the province to consider purchasing the 234 acre Chelsea Estate on Cameron Road next to the park for inclusion.

The land is listed by Colliers International, but the listing not does not include the asking price.

The chamber also backed the initiative which is the subject of an online petition by Mike Brown that had generated over 12,000 supporters as of July 9 on change.org.

The chamber said it received a letter from B.C. Environment Minister George Heyman on July 9 indicating that B.C. Parks has considered the Chelsea Estate, but that the ministry does not have the budget for such an acquisition and there are competing interests B.C. Parks must consider.

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Chamber president Krystin Kempton said while they understand limited budgets, competing priorities and the price to acquire the land, she maintains there is also a price if nothing is done, particularly as the province faces climate change and much of the Okanagan’s natural ecosystem is considered sensitive.

“There is also a significant cost if there aren’t investments in economic development. In the case of adding the Chelsea Estate to Ellison Provincial Park, it would further the North Okanagan’s reputation as a tourism destination as mountain biking and hiking are increasingly popular with visitors. The North Okanagan and the province can only benefit from the spinoff benefits of acquiring this property,” Kempton said.

The chamber also believes that protecting the site along Okanagan Lake will bolster the province’s relationship with the Syilx people, who have called this valley home for generations.

The chamber said in his letter, the minister said “should other significant contributors to this acquisition be identified, B.C. Parks remains prepared to discuss ways in which this property could be acquired for public benefit.”

“We would urge Minister Heyman to immediately direct B.C. Parks staff to proactively seek out potential partners such as public and private foundations and government at all levels,” Kempton said. “In fact, partnerships between B.C. Parks, foundations and all levels of government have made other provincial parks possible in the North Okanagan.”

The business group said it is also necessary to keep communications open with the property owner.

“Ultimately, what is required is a vision of what can be achieved not only for the North Okanagan but for all British Columbians now and in the future. Opportunities of a lifetime only surface occasionally and that means we must use all measures possible to bring them to reality,” Kempton said.

The chamber has pledged to assist the government to identify potential partners and to establish connections that result in Ellison Provincial Park being expanded.

by Pete McIntyre

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