Update: Borrowing Approved For New SAR Home

Sep 20, 2018 | 1:00 PM

Update 1 pm:

Officials with Vernon Search and Rescue are pleased the plan for funding their proposed new building is moving ahead.

The regional district’s alternative approval process to borrow up to 3.5 million dollars received no opposition.

Trevor Honigman from Search and Rescue says the next step is to help in the search for a suitable site.

“What we have done is listed the requirements that we need. We need to be close to a main highway or transportation route. We need the proper zoning, and a site about two acres is what we’re looking for,” Honigman tells Beach Radio News

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The 60 member volunteer organization has run out of space at its current location next to the Regional District office in Coldstream.

“The building we’re looking for needs room for not just training and operations, but our equipment and vehicles as well,” adds Honigman.

Honigman says it means a lot to them when they make an appeal for a new facility, and the community shows its support for it.

“We’re just so thankful for the continued support from all the communities we serve.”

8 am story:

It’s a go for the Regional District of North Okanagan to borrow money for land and a new building for Vernon Search and Rescue.

RDNO Board Chair Bob Fleming says the Alternative Approval Process conducted the past 2 months received no petitions against the plan.

“That borrowing bylaw will go forward but the planning process really is in the extremely early stages and there’s still some decision to be made but we do have the green light for funding.”

RDNO plans to borrow up to three and a half million dollars for a new site and building for the search group.

Fleming says more discussion is necessary on how to proceed and who will run the project, the district or Vernon Search and Rescue under a contract.

No site has been chosen for a new building, but Fleming says several pieces of property have been brought up.

It’s not likely anything will be done prior to the elections in October but Fleming expects there will be discussions to narrow the focus before the matter comes back before the board.

by Tom Mark