Council to discuss ranch relief request

Vernon council will make a decision next month on a request for assistance by the society that runs the Historic O’Keefe Ranch.

The Historic O’Keefe Ranch and Interior Heritage Society is asking the city to defer a $70,000 loan repayment and insurance payments for two years, and to change a requirement for a comprehensive audit in 2020.

Mayor Victor Cumming said the ranch’s cash-flows are down dramatically, similar to other groups that can’t have large crowds or major events during the Covid pandemic.

“They’re just looking for us to delay the repayment, and that’s fine. They’re not looking for additional resources. They’re just looking for a delay given the significant impact on tourism operations from Covid, and that decision will be made in mid-September when it comes back to council,” Cumming told Vernon Matters.