While the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen board is considering an initiative to twin the region with a wine-producing area in southern France, directors at the table have questions about whether such a program would have benefits.
This past summer, regional district board chair Karla Kozakevich received a letter from a representative of the Hérault region in southern France, asking about entering into an agreement with the community of Naramata, just north of Penticton, on the east side of Okanagan Lake.
The community of Pouzols, in this region, has a population estimated at 937, comparable with Naramata’s estimated population of 1,003.
READ ALSO: RDOS considers agreement with region in southern France
READ ALSO: Ikeda delegate makes generous donation to SORCO
The regional district has been considering whether to enter into a relationship with the two communities, or whether to have a relationship between the two regions.
The Hérault region in southern France has an area of 6,224 square kilometres and an estimated population of 1,165,412. The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen covers an area of 10,411.68 square kilometres and has an estimated population of 83,022.
In a report to the board, Christy Malden, legislative services manager with the regional district outlined some potential benefits of a twinning agreement, including student exchanges, sharing information about the wine industry, tourism opportunities, jointly held cultural events and more.
However, a twinning initiative comes with some initial costs. The costs of maintaining a twinning agreement are estimated at between $4,000 and $8,000 annually.
This includes costs associated with hosting delegates from France, as well as marketing and administrative costs.
The approximate costs to visit Pouzols, France for one week is estimated at $5,000 per person.
“I think this can be a really great marketing opportunity,” Kozakevich said.
Summerland mayor Toni Boot questioned the benefits of a twinning relationship.
She said Summerland has had a sister city relationship with a Japanese community for 29 years, but the relationship has not generated economic benefits.
“In my opinion, it doesn’t really seem to work,” she said.
Julius Bloomfield said if economic development is the goal, there are better methods available.
He added that he remembers negative comments about Penticton’s sister city program.
Osoyoos mayor Suzan McKortoff suggested working with the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association to promote the regional district.
To report a typo, email:news@summerlandreview.com.
news@summerlandreview.comLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
