A longtime Vernon resident and former Downtown Vernon Association (DVA) board member is speaking out about the city's mistreatment of the Historic O'Keefe Ranch.
Douglas MacGregor penned a letter to The Morning Star alleging that the Ranch is in such dire financial straits that "volunteers have been buying gas and were also buying some feed for the animals out of their own pocket."
"I must admit I was embarrassed to think the City we call home could put the Ranch Society in such a vulnerable position," said MacGregor.
The City of Vernon has been contractually bound with the Ranch since 1977, when an official lease agreement was signed between the two parties wherein the ranch was to be operated "in perpetuity" as a historical public park.
The current agreement expires in 2027.
In April, the Ranch won $50,000 from the , which is to be used for restoring the O'Keefe mansion. But it has still struggled to stay afloat financially.
In February, The Morning Star acquired a briefing note that showed interest in the Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB) purchasing the ranch; however, it has not been confirmed.
Macgregor wants to set up a committee of dedicated North Okanagan community members, with ties to businesses, foundations and community groups to "whom we could partner to raise the kind of money needed to fix up the building and get the Ranch back on its feet."
"At this time there is no administrator at the ranch, no one to greet the visitors and collect entrance fees, or help sell the souvenirs in the gift store except for volunteers on weekends," said Macgregor. "All the work now at the ranch is done by volunteers who are quickly playing out and frustrated by the state of affairs."
To inquire into this new committee, email Macgregor at .
