The final push is on for the village of Naramata to save their beach by the Oct. 31 deadline.
The Naramata Slow community group’s fundraising campaign to preserve Centre Beach for generations to come hit an impressive milestone this weekend by raising 90 per cent of its $850,000 goal. This fundraising campaign only began a month ago and already the community has closed the gap on the funds needed by raising $765,930 so far to save their beach from being sold as private property by the Oct. 31 deadline.
“Naramata’s community spirit is a powerful illustration of the difference a village can make when they come together,” said Dawn Lennie, of Naramata Slow.
Naramata Slow launched the Green Ribbon campaign two weeks ago and it has caught on with the village’s doors dawning the green ribbons, neighbours encouraging others to paint their street green, and bench wineries challenging each other to donate tasting fees.
READ MORE: It does take a village to save a beach
If the group can reach the $850,000 goal, the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen will be able to match that and access the balance of required funds through a municipal borrowing program.
The current offer from the RDOS is for $1.7 million for the parcel of beachfront. The lots haven’t been put on the market, and the Naramata Centre Society is dealing directly with the RDOS first.
Centre Beach is a slice of lakefront anchored in the heart of Naramata Village since the 1940s.
Here is the fundraising page.
monique.Tamminga@pentictonwesternnews.com
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