Naramata Centre future plans include affordable housing

NARAMATA – Future plans for Naramata Centre includes the development of a co-housing project on part of the centre’s lands.

Naramata Centre’s master plan was unveiled in the September board report, outlining future plans for the 23-acre complex over the next 15 to 20 years.

Identified as phase three in the master plan, the co-housing project would be developed in the next 10 to 15 years on land currently used for septic treatment.

The centre currently has two main septic fields, one of which has extra capacity that could be used to service a limited number of small lots for affordable housing, the centre’s board report stated.

The board report indicated it would take some time to finish design work and get rezoning and approvals in place, but said feasibility studies would begin immediately.

In the near term, over the next one to five years, the centre hopes to raise finances through the sale of non-core land in addition to improving campgrounds and accommodations.

The board is also considering the sale of three small lots on the beach, leaving roughly two-thirds of the existing beach for Naramata Centre use.

Phase two of the master plan would see repairs and renovations to Columbia and Alberta Hall, the creation of new community space to replace the gym in Columbia Hall and possible development of a new sewage treatment plant over the next five to 10 years.

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