A recent public meeting to assess the needs of Park Place residents in Oliver has started the ball rolling.

Nearly 20 people attended the meeting in council chambers, chaired by local realtor Beth Garrish.

Park Place secretary Stuart Syme described the current situation. He explained the findings of the engineer’s report that indicates structural damage to the building was caused by an earthquake in 2011.

More studies are needed to determine a further course of action. All residents are on a 72-hour evacuation alert and the first floor must vacate no later than August 15 while the second and third floors have until September 1.

Syme said the meeting was a spontaneous, genuine, and selfless outpouring of compassion in support of fellow residents who have fallen upon hard times.

“It makes me, and all of us, feel like we belong to an extended family and a community that cares.”

Syme said the immediate assistance for disassembling, packing, and moving is a “priceless” gesture. The assistance with storage, places to live, and with individual hardships are equally invaluable, he noted.

“A great weight has been lifted by many hands in unison.”

The following are notes that Garrish took from the meeting:

Needs

Park Place treasurer and evacuation coordinator Linda Gergely presented a list of the most immediate needs of the residents. They could use the following assistance:

– taking things down (pictures, etc) and dismantling furniture.

– packing

– moving

– storage – they have arranged a deal with Big Box for storage containers, but need someplace local and secure where the containers can be stored for up to two years

– places to live; some residents still have not located permanent homes to relocate to

– financial assistance; some residents still have mortgages, and many are on pensions with no savings and cannot afford the move or even rent in some cases

Assistance

– organize work parties to assist on specific days

– do a number of homes at one time

– discussed potential liability; volunteers must acknowledge that they take on risk by walking through the doors

– may need to sign a waiver (Stuart Syme has a volunteer waiver that can be used)

– Sarren Wolfe has a crew that can offer assistance; James Hodge, Ernie Dumais, Kate and Blaine Krist, Pat Somerville and Marji Basso will also assist.

Packing

– Women of Oliver for Women (WOW) members have offered their assistance with this

– Sarren Wolfe and employees have offered assistance by delivering boxes

– Linda Gergely will coordinate

– Paper/packing material from the Chronicle, Penticton Herald, Oliver Printing, Margie Somerville will look into this.

Moving

– Sarren has organized approximately 10 businesses with vehicles and staff to assist in local moves with two-days notice

– Pentecostal church also offered assistance

Storage

– for two-plus years

– need secure area

– perhaps industrial park or airport

– Ann Hayes will look into private property; Ron Hovanes will look into Town of Oliver property

Places to live

– RV parks, motels, etc.

– rentals are scarce

– Fran Wolfe will talk to Bel Aire Cedar Motel

– Paul Bouchard from Lakeside Resort will see what he can offer after the summer

– may be some monetary assistance available for seniors

– Karen Amos will take the lead to find homes for the remaining residents

Advocacy and counselling

– Sandra Cragg has offered some group sessions

– Park Place has no public spaces to use

– The Alliance Church and Wolfe’s Den were offered

– some residents seem resistant to group counselling and may prefer one-on-one

– Beth Garrish offered to try to find some volunteer counselors

Financial assistance

– some residents could use some expert advise regarding their mortgages, budgeting, etc.

– Maureen Doerr will talk to Valley First

– Churches that Care can provide a vehicle for fund management. They are a registered charity and can provide tax receipts for direct donations. They have a board of three who can adjudicate applications and provide funding directly to individuals in need. They would provide a dedicated account for Park Place assistance. Cheques would be payable to “Living Way Christian Centre.” Further details on the account will follow.

– Twenty to 25 residents will likely need ongoing financial assistance for their rent

– A fundraiser is scheduled for July 6 at the Wolfe’s Den at NK’Mip Canyon Desert Golf Course.

Sarren Wolfe’s staff will donate their wages and tips for the event; he is arranging for suppliers to provide food and drinks for free. Two bands have been arranged for entertainment. All residents of Park Place would be invited to attend for free, leaving approximately 70 tickets available at $30 each.

– everyone agreed to assist in the promotion of the event

– silent auction – Ann Hayes will take the lead

– Poster; Sarren to design; Ann, Marji and Kate will distribute