Naramata is close to saving neighbourhood park from private sale

They're not quite there yet, but it appears a group from Naramata will be able to keep a prized piece of lakefront property for the community. 

The .95 acre property includes includes 320 feet of lakefront and has been used in the community for years and they're trying to keep it that way. When Naramata Centre announced its intention to sell the property to a private owner, The Naramata Slow Community Group launched a Wayblaze account to purchase it. 

Naramata Centre agreed to give the community group the first chance to buy the beach front. Originally, they had until Oct. 31 to raise the funds without Naramata Centre entertaining any other offers to purchase, but due to the success of the fundraising effort so far, they may now get some extension on that deadline.

Group spokesperson Miranda Halladay says the community fundraising effort is closing in on their $850,000 goal, with the Wayblaze page showing a total of $686,880 raised as of Oct. 22. If they reach their goal, the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen can step in for the remainder of the $1.7 million price for a community park.

“There is amazing momentum and donations coming from all over the world. A Naramata resident living in Turkey has even sent a donation,” Halladay says.

Naramata youth Yvonne Hayden is challenging herself to run up one of the community’s steepest streets — Gulch Road — 10 times, with donations accepted on behalf of the Centre Beach project.

“She’s raised $500 to date,” Halladay says.

Daydreamer Winery is challenging all bench producers to donate tasting fees in October.

Currently, Legend Distilling and Elephant Island are donating fees, while Nichol, Lock and Worth, Foxtrot and Upper Bench wineries have all made donations.

Should the community fall short of their goal at the end of the month, their tremendous effort to get there hasn’t gone unnoticed by Naramata Centre.

“Both buyer and seller are optimistic and hopeful the target will be reached, but are open to some time extension given the commitment the community is demonstrating as we close in on our goal,” Halladay says.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to tips@infonews.ca and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.