REPORT RELEASED | Coroner looks into the death of a truck driver at a Spallumcheen business [A6]
Morning gStar
The
Friday, January 22, 2016
P R O U D L Y
S E R V I N G
O U R
N O R T H
w w w. v e r n o n m o r n i n g s t a r. c o m
O K A N A G A N
C O M M U N I T I E S
F O R
2 7
Y E A R S
2012 CHEVROLET VOLT ONLY 40,498 KMS!
STK# 16-142A
$
*PLUS DOC FEE & TAXES.
28 800
*
,
BANNISTER
4703 - 27th St. VERNON • 250-545-0606
GM DL#9133
Parkland purchase proceeds RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff
CITY OF VERNON/ SPROING CREATIVE PHOTO
The City of Vernon’s population reached 40,497 in 2015, a 3.4 per cent increase from the previous year. The North Okanagan’s population was 84,587 in 2015.
Fast-growing population in the region RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff
The North Okanagan’s population has climbed, with one of the communities a leader provincially. B.C. Stats says the Regional District of North Okanagan’s population climbed 1.9 per cent from 83,0111 in 2014 to 84,587 in 2015. Of that, Kevin Poole Vernon’s population jumped 3.4 per cent from 39,167 to 40,497, making it the fifth fastest growing among B.C. cities with a population of 25,000 or more, while RDNO was the third fastest growing regional district.
VERNONTOYOTA.COM
250-545-0687 3401 - 48TH Ave Vernon
DL# 30382
VISIT US AT
“A lot of people recognize it’s a great place to live,” said Kevin Poole, Vernon’s economic development manager. Poole suspects the population has climbed partly because of the downturn in Alberta’s economy and oil and gas workers making a lifestyle choice. “A lot of people have decided to go into semi-retirement mode.” For other local communities, the B.C. Stats report shows Armstrong’s population grew 1.5 per cent from 4,878 in 2014 to 4,951 in 20151, while Coldstream’s population went from 10,523 to 10,821 or up 2.8 per cent. In Spallumcheen, there was 0.8 per cent growth from 5,166 to 5,207. But not all communities expanded. Enderby’s population went from 2,878 to 2,840 or a decrease of 1.3 per cent.
“People are born, people die. We have two to three deaths a week,” said Greg McCune, Enderby’s mayor, who isn’t concerned about the decrease. “We’re seeing more young families because of the schools here and affordable real estate. We were an aging community and we’re seeing that change.” Lumby had a population of 1,753 in 2015, down 0.9 per cent from 1,769 in 2014, while the combined population of the five electoral areas dropped 0.6 per cent from 18,630 to 18,518. While focused on the city, Poole welcomes the overall figures regionally because residents of the other communities shop in Vernon. That trend will help Vernon’s attempts to lure investors here, including commercial developers.
CONGRATULATIONS To Kirsten Carrick, SALESPERSON OF THE YEAR for 2015!!
“It shows we’re a growing community, there’s opportunities and confidence in the marketplace,” said Poole. Poole admits that increased population also creates challenges as municipalities must provide services such as water, sewer and roads. “But would you rather be in a community with negative growth with the same pressures for services and a shrinking tax base?” he said. In the Regional District of Central Okanagan, the total population is 195,523, up from 189,845 in 2014. Lake Country’s population jumped 7.6 per cent from 13,048 to 14,035. Besides Vernon, the other four fastest growing cities in B.C. were Langford, near Victoria, at 7.2 per cent, West Kelowna at 5.3 per cent, Chilliwack at 4.8 per cent and Langley at 3.5 per cent.
Another portion of Greater Vernon’s natural environment has been preserved. The Regional District of North Okanagan has purchased 13.43 acres along Swan Lake, on the north end of Crane Road off of Meadowlark Road. “It will be a natural, passive park,” said Tannis Nelson, community development coordinator. It’s not known when public access will occur, but development of the park could start this year, including a trail between Crane and Lochdale roads. “It’s the only piece of publicly owned land with actual lake access,” said Bob Fleming, BX-Swan Lake director, adding that an ultimate goal is to have a small dock for canoeists. “I hope there will be interpretive information on the site or a viewing platform for people to see the wildlife.” The property, which was the site of the CJIB radio tower, has been farmed in the past. “There’s a lot of weeds on the property so we will try to get it to as natural a state as possible,” said Fleming. The regional district paid $615,000 for the site. RDNO also has a natural reserve off of Old Kamloops Road but there is not access to Swan Lake.
KIRSTEN’S PICK OF THE WEEK 2016 TOYOTA
COROLLA CE
$
THATS LIKE
LEASE FROM
78
*
SEMI MONTHLY
36
$
*
PER WEEK!!
*See dealer for details, OAC. 2016 Toyota Corolla CE, Lease from 3.99%, over 60 month term, with $3,595 down, equal semi monthly payments of $238, total lease obligation $32,145, based on 20,000 KMS per year.
See Our Ad On Pg.
A19