Millions needed to repair Vernon’s Historic O’Keefe Ranch

The Historic O’Keefe Ranch operated as a working ranch for almost 100 years – from 1867 to 1965 – before becoming a tourist destination.

Now it’s in urgent need of major repairs and in some cases removal, according to a Facility Condition Assessment going before Vernon city council today, Jan. 22.

The scope of the work includes $500,000 that needs to be spent in the next fiscal year, another $950,000 needed in the next two to five years and $1,425,000 in the six-to-ten-year time frame.

“The wood-framed emergency exit stairs from the second floor of the Greenhow Museum are significantly deteriorated at the footing connections and railings,” the report said, and included a recommendation they be removed and replaced.

The wood stairs into the basement of the Greenhow Museum also show serious signs of wear.

“The bridge is showing signs of moderate failure,” the report said. “This, coupled with the lack of guardrails for pedestrians direct (the consultant) to the conclusion that the bridge is beyond repair and must be removed and replaced.”

A roof on the Meat and Dairy building is “deflecting significantly.” A post near the centre of the roof provides the support, creating a “wave-like” deflected shape.

There are concerns about chimneys creating possible fire hazards, walls and roofs that need repair and one post near the north side of the Visitor Centre has “rotted completely from its footing connection and is unsupported.”

Moderate priority items that need fixing in the next two to five years include the Schubert Barn leaning towards Deep Creek and a number of walls, roofs and water damaged areas needing repairs.

While 51 of the ranch’s 57 acres and all of the more than 30 historic buildings are owned by the City of Vernon, the site is actually in Spallumcheen and leased to the O’Keefe Ranch & Interior Heritage Society that operates the facility.

READ MORE: iN VIDEO: How 'Canada's biggest water system' took Vernon from cattle to fruit

Council agreed that a Heritage Conservation Plan and a detailed 10-year capital and operations plan be completed and brought back to a future council meeting.

Vernon Mayor Victor Cumming suggested that with the ongoing need for repairs and operations the city could be looking at an annual bill in the neighbourhood of $500,000 to keep the ranch operating.

See the full report here.

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