CORRECTION: In the print edition of this article, it indicated that your could fax or mail in a copy of your opposition forms. In fact, opposing electors must submit the original form with their signature to the RDOS office or by mail. The forms are available from the RDOS website at rdosregionalconnections.ca/aap or the RDOS office. The deadline to submit your opposition is Feb. 8 at 4:30 p.m.
Sickle Point may have been saved.
It will depend on whether the conditions are able to be met for the $2.5 million offer the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen (RDOS) has put forward.
“The condition being the approval of the borrowing bylaw by the ratepayers within the Kaleden Parks and Recreation Service,” said RDOS chief administrative officer Bill Newell in an email.
The offer to Lanyard Investments, the current owners of the property, is $1 million less than the $3.5 million that the RDOS was initially seeking to borrow, and is likely to be even less following fundraising by the Kaleden Community Association and Save Sickle Point Committee.
“The offer is now dependent on public approval of the required borrowing bylaw and final consent from the Supreme Court of B.C., in this court-ordered bankruptcy sale,” said Randy Cranston of the Save Sickle Point Committee in a press release.
Sickle Point is land along the Skaha Lake waterfront.
For the $2.5 million offer, the service tax for residents in the Kaleden Parks and Recreation Service area would increase by $124.45, $186.68 and $248.90 for an annual total of $309.95, $464.93 and $619.90 for properties of $500,000, $750,000 and $1 million respectively.
The taxpayers included in the Kaleden Parks and Rec area are Kaleden, Twin Lakes and St. Andrews.
The ‘Save Sickle Point’ has raised $284,350 towards the purchase, and aim to raise the rest of the required money by the time the borrowing bylaw would take effect in 2022, through grant applications, community fundraising and requests to government and non-governmental organizations.
“Importantly, a show of community support will do much to encourage other donors as well,” said Cranston.
If 10 per cent of the electors oppose the RDOS, the bylaw will not pass without a full referendum.
The area has an estimated 1,816 qualified electors, according to the RDOS.
The RDOS hosted a virtual town hall forum to explain the borrowing bylaw and purchase on Jan. 13, from 7 to 8 p.m. But there is another one coming.
RDOS staff will be available at the town hall to discuss the financial impacts, alternative approval process and the next steps following either the success or rejection of the approval process.
Residents can view the town hall on the RDOS youtube channel, and participate by going to rdos.webex.com with meeting number 146 584 3334 and password RD@S.
Information on the alternative approval process and the borrowing bylaw can be found at rdosregionalconnections.ca/aap.
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