Naramata to proceed with waterfront property purchase

Naramata residents are moving ahead with plans to purchase a waterfront property for a community park.

An alternate approval process to tax Naramata residents for the purchase has passed at the regional district.

Less than 10 elector response forms in opposition to a loan authorization bylaw for up to $900,000 to purchase Naramata Centre Beach was received by the regional district prior to the AAP deadline yesterday, Feb. 8. The alternate approval process would have required 173 or more electoral response forms in order to force a referendum or alternative measures on the issue.

Naramata Centre Beach is currently owned by Naramata Centre but would become a community beach and recreation area.

Results of the AAP and next steps toward acquiring the property will be discussed at the next regional directors board meeting on Feb. 18.

A community effort to fundraise an initial amount of $850,000 was successful last October, allowing the regional district to proceed with a sales agreement for purchase of the property from Naramata Centre. 

A similar alternate approval process to borrow as much as $3.5 million to purchase sensitive Kaleden lakefront property did not meet with taxpayer approval following its conclusion yesterday.

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