An Okanagan Landing neighbourhood is declaring victory after the city
reversed policy direction. A staff recommendation went before council Monday that would see the former Lakers Golf clubhouse on Cummins Road remain parks and open space and not be turned over to the Elks Lodge for a commercial operation. “I’m very happy they are making a decision that will benefit the residents of Cummins Road,” said Kevin Lepp, who has fought the plan for two years. Lepp and other residents were concerned a drinking establishment would lead to traffic and noise issues. The city owns the golf clubhouse and it originally proposed moving the Elks there so it could acquire the current Elks hall downtown for a redevelopment project. But Mayor Wayne Lippert now favours abandoning that direction and leaving Lakers as green space. “Residents didn’t like the idea of a drinking establishment down there,” he said. The next step will be for the city to try and find another location that is suitable for the Elks. “It’s still the city’s intention to acquire the entire Coldstream Hotel block,” said Coun. Buffy Baumbrough.
The Elks Lodge would like a decision on any new location soon. “It’s frustrating,” said member Ole Sather of the process. He added that the club would like to know what is going on because the uncertainty is preventing it from doing renovations to the current building. “We’ll have to wait and talk to them (city).” Sather is concerned with how the Elks have been portrayed during the Cummins Road issue. “They (the city) have left us a little vulnerable. We didn’t get a lot of good press and we’re just a little organization,” he said. “Our priority is to raise money for the community.”
The Elks Lodge would like a decision on any new location soon. “It’s frustrating,” said member Ole Sather of the process. He added that the club would like to know what is going on because the uncertainty is preventing it from doing renovations to the current building. “We’ll have to wait and talk to them (city).” Sather is concerned with how the Elks have been portrayed during the Cummins Road issue. “They (the city) have left us a little vulnerable. We didn’t get a lot of good press and we’re just a little organization,” he said. “Our priority is to raise money for the community.”
If the Lakers site remains open space, it would be offered to the Greater Vernon Services Committee for recreational use. It’s not known if the building would be demolished. A public hearing was held two weeks ago on the proposed changes on Cummins Road and the city’s tourist commercial waterfront plan. But a second hearing will now be held at a future date because of proposed changes. Council is also seeking additional input by sending the matter to the environmental advisory committee, the advisory planning board and GVSC. “There have been some major changes. It’s a work in progress,” said Coun. Juliette Cunningham. But until a bylaw is adopted keeping the Lakers site as park, Lepp will continue to press the neighbourhood’s case. “I’ll be at the next public hearing and rallying the troops,” he said.
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