A piece of land in Coldstream can be used for recreational activities.
The Agricultural Land Commission has granted non-farm status so 5.8 hectares next to Okanagan College can be used for a running track and sports field.
“Clearly, there is significant support for this concept,” said Jane Lister, OC regional dean.
“We can see benefits for the communities we serve, as well as for our students and the campus.”
The proposed facility includes an Olympic size rubberized track, a lighted artificial playing field and a field house. It also incorporates track and field facilities, and bleachers.
The ALC set two conditions on the approval of the non-conforming use:
• That topsoil be retained on the site and be used to develop the fields, or stored in berms at the edge of the site
• That the facility be developed within three years.
Last spring, the ALC shot down an application for the sports complex because it considers the 10 acres to be suitable for farming. It also stated that the need for a facility was not clearly demonstrated.
College and Regional District of North Okanagan officials presented another application to the ALC in October.
The next step for Okanagan College and RDNO will be determining how the $7.8 million facility is funded.
Officials have suggested in the past that a borrowing referendum could possibly be held in Greater Vernon in the spring.
Look for more details in Friday’s Morning Star.
