Archives for March 9, 2020

 

By ROY WOOD

The search continues for the magic bullet that will transform Oliver from a quiet, pleasant rural community into someplace more vibrant, with a bustling downtown and a thriving tourism industry.

The latest attempt is something called Grow Oliver, a project funded by the provincial Rural Dividend Fund. Its “Draft Economic Development Strategy” was presented in very broad strokes to a council committee Monday afternoon.

John Ingram and Jordan Konyk of EcoPlan Consulting urged council members to read the more-than-100-page document and offer feedback. Then in a few weeks the consultants will come back with a final version of the strategy.

The laudable objectives, which sound reminiscent of renewal projects of the past, include:

• Create an attractive and vibrant downtown;
• Support and grow local businesses;
• Attract investment and jobs;
• Create local benefits and regional tourism;
• Encourage affordable housing and commercial spaces; 
• Foster a robust and resilient local economy;
• Promote innovation and a green local economy; and
• Strengthen relationships with regional partners.   

The draft strategy is broad in sweep and scope, and includes short, medium and long-term objectives, from establishing local committees and regional relationships, integrating town assets and broadening the stakeholder base to include pretty much everyone in Oliver.   

The so-called “Quick Start” phase covers the first 12 months and includes:

• Creating a Grow Oliver Committee. Council seemed to agree this would be some expanded version of the current Downtown Action Plan Committee;
• Designating a Grow Oliver Coordinator, someone who would “move the strategy forward” and be its champion, likely part-time at first;
• Develop a relationship with the Osoyoos Indian Band; and
• Create an Oliver Tourism Brochure.

The “Foundation” phase covers 12-24 months:

• Downtown Oliver development feasibility study;
• A beautification and “Wayfinding” project;
• Festival of the Grape Centre feasibility study; and
• A “Partner in Parks” program, including how to take advantage of the South Okanagan National Park Reserve.

Actions over the longer term, two years and beyond, include:

• A buy-local campaign;
• New childcare opportunities; 
• Development of the airport;
• Better transit mobility; 
• Shoulder season tourism events; and 
• Encouraging cycle tourism. 

Council considered a motion to have staff look at the feasibility of creating a Grow Oliver coordinator, but decided to wait at least until the final strategy is presented and accepted.    

Recommendation: The proper course of action is to remove the dwelling from the Community Heritage Register prior to it being demolished.

On September 25, 2006, Council passed a resolution to establish a Community Heritage Register while adding the Museum to this list. On February 26, 2007, the single family dwelling at 555 Earle Crescent was one of 25 properties added to the Register. According to BC Assessment, the dwelling was built in 1936 and is 1,500 ft2 in size.

As per the attached Statement of Significance, this home and several others on Earle Crescent are recognized primarily as the homes of Oliver’s first privileged class, the designers and engineers of the ‘ditch.’ The 1.5 story Craftsman style home, along with the brickwork, open eves, long shed dormers for the two upper floor rooms and many other features contribute to its heritage value. Although the dwelling is listed on the Community Heritage Register, it is not protected from demolition or alteration. Two buildings in Oliver, the Museum and the Visitor Centre building, are protected from demolition or alteration via heritage protection bylaws adopted in the early 1980’s.

On July 12, 2019, a fire severely damaged the dwelling at 555 Earle Crescent, leaving it in poor structural condition and a nuisance to the community given that it is being used periodically as a place for vulnerable individuals seeking shelter from the elements. A property management company (Sentinel) has now been appointed as receiver of the property and are intending on
seeking a demolition permit. Although this is not an ideal outcome given that the property is on the Community Heritage Register, it is a necessary one given both the hazards and visual
nuisances that an abandoned, burnt-out building poses.

Town Staff will notify the heritage minister, as per Section 598 (3) of the local government act which states:

Within 30 days after including property in a community heritage register or deleting property from a community heritage register, the local government must give notice of this:

• (a) to the owner of the heritage property in accordance with section 592, and
• (b) to the heritage minister in accordance with section 595.

Given the current state of the building as evident in the photos attached, Staff recommend removal of the dwelling at 555 Earle Crescent from the Community Heritage Register to facilitate the demolition of the structure.

Monday March 9 Committee of the Whole – motion made and carried to demolish heritage home. 

The Oliver Curling Club kicked off a year of celebrations on the weekend for its 50th Anniversary. We hosted a ‘Retro’ bonspiel where, just like in the club’s first bonspiel in 1970, curlers put their names in a hat and teams were drawn at random. Curlers from all leagues met new friends on the ice while music played to keep everything hopping.

Retro costumes were reminiscent of curling 50 years ago. Displays of pins, trophies, jam cans and old brooms were part of the decor.

George Hagel played the part of the Soda Jerk and served floats with root beer generously donated by A&W. Murray Soder – the presenter in picture above

Prizes for the teams followed the spirit of 50 years ago with produce and handcrafted items for the main winners. The spiel was won by the team of Terry Einarson from the Day League, Gina Patterson who is newly returned to town after a few years away, Mark Seed of the Corporate League, and Anita Becker, a future member.

Other winners include teams skipped by Diane Tetreault and Patrick Campbell.

Many thanks to all our curlers, volunteers and great prize sponsors — A&W, Arterra Wines — for making it such a fantastic launch to our 50th Anniversary celebrations!

An exciting sport court project is gaining momentum in Oliver. Oliver Parks and Recreation and the local Pickleball and Tennis Clubs are collaborating to create another amazing sports facility to be added to Community Park.

Pickleball is the fastest growing sport not only in North America but worldwide. It is a game that can be played at any age and is easily accessible to anyone who loves racquet sports, and as pickleball grows from a game played by snowbirds to a sport our youth play in high school the pressure to create permanent courts increases. Oliver is the only remaining community in the South Okanagan yet to build pickleball courts.

Over the last two years a group of dedicated volunteers have created a vision and now a plan to build 4 dedicated pickleball courts and refurbish the existing 30-year-old tennis courts. A committee has been formed with the goal of raising a significant portion of the estimated $120,000 cost of the project. Donations from local service clubs, businesses and individuals are needed to make this construction project possible. Over $13,000.00 has been donated to date by several passionate players in the last few months and community partners are showing their support with the placement of business banners on the fencing of the existing courts.

Both the Tennis and Pickleball clubs welcome the community to the first fundraising event of the year and kickoff to the racquet sport playing season scheduled for Sunday, April 26th. This promises to be a fun filled day for the whole family at the courts including a BBQ, demonstration games, 50/50 draw and raffle and membership sign up. Activities are scheduled from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm and everyone is welcome, no experience necessary.

Be sure to save the date for the “Summer Solstice under the Stars” dinner and dance on the tennis courts in Community Park on June 20th. This is a great opportunity to support fundraising efforts while celebrating the longest day of the year! Advance tickets will be available at the Spring Kickoff event and at the Recreation Administration Office starting April 27.
As the passion for the game of pickleball continues to grow so does the enthusiasm for the court project. “Community Park is a jewel of this community”, says Carol Sheridan, Manager of Parks and Recreation. “This project will help to build the park into a premier outdoor racquet sport destination in British Columbia and a legacy for local players.”

by Paul