Push for RV park still on

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: October 16, 2008

Lobbying for a money-making addition to O’Keefe Ranch remains intense. City officials recently met with representatives of the Agricultural Land Commission to discuss a proposed recreational vehicle park at the Highway 97 historic attraction. “Generally, the response from the commission members seemed to be positive,” said Mayor Wayne Lippert. “They are supportive and looking at ways to help the ranch. I’m hopeful there will be a positive outcome.” The city and the ranch’s board of directors are proposing that the site in question remain in the Agriculture Land Reserve and the RV park be considered a non-farm use. “If the RV park ceased to function, the land would be converted back to farm use,” said Lippert. The city-owned ranch has been in financial trouble for some time, and the RV park proposal arose as a way of trying to pump some cash into the operation. “If they don’t become self-sustaining, there’s a huge risk (of it closing),” said Coun. Juliette Cunningham. “This can go along way towards promoting agriculture if it’s self-sustaining.” Besides the ALC, Lippert met recently with Tourism Minister Bill Bennett and Agriculture Minister Stan Hagen. Despite a lack of commitment from them, he is positive.“They are very much supportive of this,” said Lippert of O’Keefe Ranch. “They recognize O’Keefe Ranch’s agricultural heritage and the feeling was that the province should be more financially involved but there was no commitment.”