Chelsea Estates on Okanagan Lake. (Submitted photo/Colliers International)

By Pete McIntyre

private buyer

Chamber & MLA ‘disappointed’ lakefront land won’t become provincial park

Apr 28, 2021 | 2:30 PM

The business group that lobbied the B.C. government to buy the Chelsea Estate property next to Ellison Provincial Park, is disappointed a deal could not be reached to retain the land for public use.

A potential buyer for the 234-acre lakefront site on Okanagan Lake at Cameron Road has been confirmed by the listing agent, Colliers, with the deal with a private buyer not finalized yet.

The asking price is not listed, but the land, house and cottages were last assessed at over $16.5 million.

The province had been in discussions with the Regional District of North Okanagan and City of Vernon about buying the land for inclusion into the park.

The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce had advocated for public acquisition of the property to enhance the region’s environment and economy.

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“We are disappointed that BC Parks and local government were not able to form a partnership that would have led to the acquisition of this property for provincial park,” Krystin Kempton, Chamber president, said.

“As a provincial park, this distinct Okanagan habitat would have been preserved, while economic and recreational opportunities would have been created through camping, hiking and mountain biking. However, we understand that acquisition would have been a significant investment for government, particularly at a time when there are many competing financial pressures. “The chamber also respects the ability of the seller and purchaser to enter into this transaction,” said Kempton.

If the sale is completed, Kempton said the chamber will be interested to see what the private owner has planned for the property.

“And depending on the development approval process with the City of Vernon, there may be potential opportunities for public trail or waterfront access,” Kempton said.

Vernon-Monashee MLA Harwinder Sandhu also stated disappointment over the Chelsea Estates property being sold to a private buyer, although the deal is not yet closed.

“BC Parks had been in conversation with our local government about purchasing up to three of the eleven parcels of Chelsea Estates that were for sale, with the possibility of adding that land to Ellison Provincial Park. I was personally working with the Minister of Environment on the possibility and had raised it on several occasions with the Premier,” Sandhu said in a statement.

“While this is not the outcome many had hoped for, it is completely within the seller’s right to sell the land to whomever they please. The buyer is private, and I ask that everyone in the community respect their privacy and allow them to announce the purchase, if they choose to do so,” the NDP MLA said.

Even with this sale, Sandhu said there is still much to look forward to.

“I am very excited about our government’s recently announced increased investments into our incredible Provincial Park system. There will be more campsites and infrastructure added across the province and additional personnel working at park sites so that everyone can get out and enjoy the beauty that B.C. has to offer.”