Ranch society may ‘collapse’ without support from city

The society that runs the Historic O’Keefe Ranch says the Covid pandemic has been “very hard on the ranch.”

The non-profit group will be before Vernon council today (Aug. 17) to seek financial relief in the form of delaying a loan repayment and insurance costs, and the need for full audit this year.

The society said in a letter to council, without some help the society may collapse before the year is out.

“We understand our request is not small and to continue to defer could incur a large enough debt that the ranch will struggle to meet it’s obligations. On the other hand, we are also met with the stark reality that the society may indeed collapse before this year is up. Both of these are very realistic possibilities,” said Bruce Cummings, chairperson of the Historic O’Keefe Ranch and Interior Heritage Society.