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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Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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