Camp draws city’s attention

By RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff Oct 11 2006 http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/
A youth camp may ultimately get some financial support from the City of Vernon.
Council was unwilling to give 100 per cent property tax exemption to Camp Hurlburt Tuesday, but discussions will be held, as part of the 2007 budget deliberations, to see if a grant can be provided to assist with taxes. “We should look at a grant or some other mechanism for this year and then set up something for next year,” said Mayor Wayne Lippert of the exemption issue. Trinity United Church, which owns Camp Hurlburt, has been asking for its tax exemption status to climb from 50 to 100 per cent. However, provincial regulations don’t give the city enough time for that to happen by the Oct. 31 deadline. The city’s finance committee will now consider the possibility of a grant for taxes, which amounted to about $6,000 this year. “We don’t want to discount helping in some way,” said Coun. Juliette Cunningham. Full support for Hurlburt came from Coun. Patrick Nicol. “We have to stand up for what the community treasures and the community treasures Camp Hurlburt,” he said. The camp, which sits on Okanagan Lake, received a 100 per cent property tax exemption until 2001 when the city reviewed its handling of tax exemptions. It was decided, at the time, to classify Hurlburt as recreational, partly because it rents its facilities out. “There’s fear the exponential taxation could force the camp to close,” said Loretta Bell-Hardy, chairman of the Trinity United Church board of governors. She pointed out to council that the church raises money — $13,000 in 2006 — to send children from underprivileged homes to camp. “It recognizes a social need in Vernon,” she said. “The small amount we glean from rentals we use to subsidize children’s fees.” Hurlburt’s current taxes are the same amount as what council agreed to spend Tuesday for a cairn to remember two police officers who died on duty. That caught the attention of Coun. Pat Cochrane. “If we can find money for the memorial, I hope we can find similar money for Camp Hurlburt and the youth it serves,” he said. City council will also ask the Greater Vernon Services Commission to consider financial support for the camp. Coun. Barry Beardsell says the camp serves youth throughout the area, not just Vernon, and it fits into the recreational component of GVSC. “We have to look at it carefully while acknowledging the good things done at the camp,” said Beardsell of tax exemptions and financial grants.