RDCK to purchase land in Krestova for regional parkland
By Regional District of Central Kootenay
The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) has entered into an agreement to purchase two parcels of private land totalling approximately 134 acres in Krestova, Electoral Area H, as regional parkland for use by regional residents and visitors. The purchase price of the land is $870,000.
At its meeting on August 18, the RDCK Board of Directors approved an Area H Community Development Grant of $250,000 be put towards the purchase. A further $145,000 donation has been secured for the purchase. The remaining $475,000 must be raised by the RDCK through individual donations and other sources such as grants by October 5, 2022 to meet the terms of the purchase agreement.
“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,” said RDCK Board Vice-Chair and Electoral Area H Director, Walter Popoff. “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. To achieve this with community support we still have to raise $475,000.”
The RDCK will host a Krestova community meeting at the end of August to discuss options for fundraising. More information will be shared when the meeting date is confirmed.
Donations towards the purchase are being accepted by the RDCK. Tax receipts will be issued for donations of $50.00 or more. If fundraising is not successful, donations will be used for future recreational development at Campbell Field at the Playmor Junction. For information on making a donation, please call the RDCK Parks office at 250-352-1574.
Last September, the RDCK Board directed staff to investigate the opportunity to purchase the 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.
Incorporated in 1965, the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) is a local government that serves 60,000 residents in 11 electoral areas and nine member municipalities. The RDCK provides more than 160 services, including community facilities, fire protection and emergency services, grants, planning and land use, regional parks, resource recovery and handling, transit, water services and much more. For more information about the RDCK, visit www.rdck.ca.
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