Dale Boyd
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The public got its first opportunity to ask questions about the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen’s (RDOS) possible purchase of Sickle Point at a virtual town hall held on Jan. 13.
The regional district had its conditional $2.5-million offer accepted to buy the 4.8-acre piece of land on the Kaleden waterfront from Lanyard Investments, the holders of the previously defaulted mortgage.
However, that deal is conditional on Kaleden Parks and Recreation Service Area taxpayers approval of the RDOS borrowing up to $3.5 million for the purchase — and final consent from the Supreme Court of B.C. in the court-ordered bankruptcy sale. The service area includes Kaleden, Twin Lakes, and St. Andrews taxpayers.
If 10 per cent or more (or 182 residents) in the area send responses to the RDOS in opposition to the purchase, the local government could proceed to a referendum, or put the the borrowing bylaw on hold. Those who are in support of borrowing the funds to purchase Sickle Point do not need to submit a response in support, only those in opposition have been asked to send responses.
There have been various subdivisions planned for private development in the area over the years, currently zoned residential, and there is currently a pending application for a five-lot subdivision on the land.
The Kaleden Parks and Recreation Committee and the Kaleden Community Association have been strong advocates for acquiring the property, with the Save Sickle Point group fundraising roughly $285,000 and aspiring to fundraise the entire cost of the purchase to lift the tax burden on residents. The Save Sickle Point committee estimates the cost to taxpayers in the Kaleden Recreation Service Area will be less than $1 million. If no donations are received the tax burden could be an estimated $124 annually for 25 years on an average home.
“It has been a high-profile property that’s been under scrutiny for many years especially with the threat of development. Now that it is up for sale, now would be the time for the community to express whether they want to buy it or not,” said Bill Newell, RDOS CAO, at Wednesday’s virtual town hall.
Residents had a chance to submit questions during the Webex virtual meeting Wednesday both by chat and by calling in. Some residents questioned the possible tax burden while others had technical questions on the access to the land from the KVR trail, the borrowing process and history of Sickle Point’s ownership.
Newell noted there is the possibility that if the sellers receive a better offer without conditions, notice will be sent to the RDOS and an alternative offer would go before the courts.
If the RDOS is successful in its purchase, the uses for the land will be determined by the regional district, the Penticton Indian Band and the taxpayers in the area.
The rare and endangered riparian and wetland habitat is a sensitive and important Indigenous cultural site, with the Penticton Indian Band opposing development at Sickle Point as well.
Should the borrowing bylaw required for the purchase go through, taxes for area residents would not increase until 2022 due to time required for negotiations, and the timing of the tax rate bylaws passed annually in March.
A local Kaleden resident whose home overlooks Sickle Point raised concerns about the possibility of park development in the area. However, a lot of consultation with the local community will be taking place regarding the future use of the land, Newell said, if the deal goes through.
Residents in the Kaleden Parks and Recreation Service Area can access elector response forms at the Regional District office or online at www.rdos.bc.ca. A response form can also be sent by mail, fax, or email on request.
The deadline for delivering the original signed elector response form (not by fax or email) to the Regional District is 4:30 p.m. on Monday Feb. 8.
Those with questions or seeking more information can contact Christy Malden, manager of legislative services for the RDOS at [email protected] or 250-490-4146.
