Dale Boyd
Times-Chronicle
The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen is applying to officially allow the non-farm use of Loose Bay Campground, which hosts mostly migrant agricultural workers, in order to comply with provincial standards for grant funding.
In May the regional district took over operations at the campground at 500 Secrest Hill Rd., formerly operated by the Loose Bay Campground Society which dissolved in April citing liability and lack of resources to meet COVID-19 requirements.
The land lies in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) and zoned for agriculture.
“There has been an interest by the Ministry of Agriculture in supporting accommodation hubs for agricultural workers and they’re looking not only in the Okanagan and Similkameen but also in the Kootenays as well,” said CAO Bill Newell.
The ministry is providing funds for campground providers to upgrade infrastructure, including a successful bid for $60,000 in funding support for Loose Bay.
“In doing that, the ministry became aware that our license of occupation expires this year on the Loose Bay Campground. So, they have said you have to be in compliance before we can spend any of our money on their infrastructure,” Newell said.
The application initiates the process with the provincial Agricultural Land Commission.
