Penticton Indian Band votes no to proposed ‘Adrenaline Super Park’

PENTICTON – Members of the Penticton Indian Band have turned down a proposal to explore the possibility of developing two per cent of the band’s land into an adventure super park.

Band members voted 149 to 93 against the proposed 940 ha super park, Dec. 14, in a turnout that saw between 25 and 30 per cent of band members cast ballots, according to a K'ul Group media release. The K'ul Group was formerly known as the Penticton Indian Band Development Corporation.

The mail-in ballots weren't counted until yesterday, Dec. 18, due to disruptions caused by the Canada Post labour dispute.

K’ul Group chief executive director Jonathan Baynes says in the release the Band remains committed to moving forward in the new year with similar engagement formats in consideration of other land use designations. The band doesn't say in the release what those land use designations would be.

Preliminary concepts for the Adrenaline Super Park the band was considering with Avion Developments included a sky chair, walking and nature trails, ziplines, a mountain coaster, a waterpark and a multi-level mountain bike terrain park. The concept also included other amenities such as an amphitheatre, concert stage and bull riding event centre along with an RV Park and tenting facility.

Even though the proposal failed to garner band approval, Chief Chad Eneas said the referendum process a success.

”Some expressed concerns around the size of the designation,” Eneas said in the release. “For many, 940 acres was a lot of land to be involved in this project, even if the potential benefit was large."

The proposal was identified in the band’s community plan as one that would attract opportunities for youth.

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