Crunch time: Community tasked with fundraising $475,000 in six weeks for piece of parkland
By Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The intent to sell a popular piece of private land to the regional district comes at a steep price and in a compressed time frame.
The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) and the community are tasked with having to raise $475,000 in six weeks in order to purchase the 134 acres in Krestova (Electoral Area H).
It was recently announced that the RDCK had entered into an agreement to purchase the two parcels of land — as regional parkland for use by regional residents and visitors — for a price of $870,000.
During its regular monthly business meeting on Aug. 18 the RDCK board approved an Area H Community Development Grant of $250,000 be put towards the purchase.
“The property is now for sale and, as the director for the area, the community reached out and requested that the RDCK consider purchasing the property for regional park purposes,” said Area H director Walter Popoff. “To achieve this with community support we still have to raise $475,000.”
He said a further $145,000 donation has been secured for the purchase but the remaining money must be raised by the RDCK through “individual donations and other sources such as grants” by Oct. 5 to meet the terms of the purchase agreement.
Although the wherewithal to procure the land for a park will need to be raised, the desire is definitely there, said Popoff.
“This property, although it was privately owned, has been used by the local community as an outdoor recreation area and a place for residents to enjoy the historic and cultural attributes of the property,” he said.
Later this month the regional district will host a Krestova community meeting to discuss options for fundraising. More information will be shared when the meeting date is confirmed, noted a press release from the RDCK.
Donations towards the purchase are now being accepted by the RDCK, with tax receipts issued for donations of $50 or more.
If fundraising for the Krestova property is not successful, donations will be used for future recreational development at Campbell Field at the Playmor Junction, said Popoff.
To donate:
For information on making a donation, please call the RDCK Parks office at 250-352-1574.
Getting there
Last September the RDCK board directed regional district staff to investigate the opportunity to purchase the Krestova land by looking into environmental criteria, outdoor experiences and activities, area management and management and planning criteria, as well as other historical and cultural attributes.
The local community was also invited to provide input in order to gauge levels of community interest and support next steps. More than 40 letters in support of the purchase were received.
Source: Regional District of Central Kootenay
