New site for Vernon Search and Rescue moves through public hearing

Jul 23, 2020 | 6:15 AM

A new home for Vernon Search and Rescue is a step closer to proceeding.

There was no opposition at a public hearing held by the city for a bylaw zoning change for the proposed new search and rescue headquarters at 5100 Silver Star Road next to Tekmar Control Systems.

Mayor Victor Cumming said the land owner can now subdivide the land and prepare for the new building.

“We don’t expect any difficulties. We don’t expect any difficulties in subdivision. The land owner has been extremely generous and in direct contact with Search and Rescue,” Cumming told Vernon Matters.

The proposed site is zoned for business park, but needed to have emergency and protective services added as permitted uses to allow for the search and rescue structure.

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Tekmar is currently using a portion of the nine-acre site, with VSAR requiring 2.14 acres.

Bylaws to borrow up to $3.5 million for the land and facility were passed by the Regional District of North Okanagan board in 2018 after an alternative approval process.

Vernon Search and Rescue, which has operated since 1960 and currently has about 65 volunteer members, has outgrown its current location by the RDNO office on Aberdeen Road in Coldstream.

The group has been looking for a larger site adjacent to a major traffic route to reduce response times.

by Pete McIntyre

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