Dale Boyd
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Penticton Indian Band (PIB) and broader syilx Nation is joining the regional district and a Kaleden community group in opposing development at Sickle Point, a lakefront property in Kaleden, as the deadline looms on sale conditions which could allow local taxpayers to put in an offer and create a community park.
The 4.8-acre parcel of undeveloped land in between the KVR on the west and Skaha Lake on the east and is one of few remaining wetland and semi-natural habitats along the western shores of Skaha Lake, according to the PIB which has designated Sickle Point as a protected area.
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) voted at their Nov. 19 meeting to authorize the long-term borrowing of no more than $3.5 million to assist in purchasing the land as a nature park, pending approval from area taxpayers. The Kaleden Community Association says it is in the public’s interest to acquire the property as a nature park and have initiated a fundraising program to assist the RDOS in the purchase.
The property is currently under a court-ordered sale, and private developers have made a conditional offer with conditions to be removed by Nov. 26.
“The Regional District has conversed with Lanyard (the owners) about submitting an offer based on the appraised value, but conditional on approval by the electors, with a proposed February 2021 closing date. Lanyard has indicated that the offer currently received (by private developers) is acceptable to them, but if conditions are not removed (on Nov. 26) they would be willing to consider the offer from the Regional District,” states an RDOS staff report.
Newly elected MLA for Boundary-Similkameen Roly Russell has shown support for the public purchasing the property, as has South Okanagan-West Kootenay MP Richard Cannings who visited the site multiple times, most recently in September.
The PIB are the latest to join the chorus of opposition against the sale to developers.
“Our position at PIB, as members of the syilx nation, is that we are the original title holders to this area and we are absolutely against any type of development,” said PIB Coun. Suzanne Johnson in a written statement released Nov. 26.
“We support conservation. We support syilx practices and management,” Johnson said. “It’s a place where our people have had a presence for thousands of years. It’s an important cultural site; it’s an important environmental site.”
