SUMMERLAND REVIEW THE VOICE OF OUR COMMUNITY SINCE 1908
VOLUME 66 - ISSUE
WHAT’S INSIDE:
NO. 39 • S U M M E R L A N D, B.C. • T H U R S D AY,
Mountain bike riders took part in the Test of Humanity race on Sunday.
SEPTEMBER
26,
2013
•
20
PA G E S
•
$1.15
INCLUDING
GST
Wharton plan cancelled by John Arendt
Pedal power
WWW.SUMMERLANDREVIEW.COM
The municipality has cancelled the Wharton Street development contract. Because of unforeseen health issues of the developer, there are no plans to renew the agreement now that it has expired. “The district is disappointed we will not be continuing with the development due to unfortunate circum-
stances,” said Acting Mayor Martin Van Alphen. “We wish the owner a speedy recovery.” The present development concept was presented to the public in March, 2012. The design included four buildings, each five storeys high, with commercial space and residential units. The development also included a new museum, library and underground
parking. On Aug. 16, 2012, the documents for the development were signed. At that time, the target date for groundbreaking was February, 2013 and the first building was to be completed early in 2014. The value of the project was estimated at $90 to $120 million. In August, municipal planner Ian McIntosh said the project had been
put on hold because the proponent, Danny Nonis, had serious health problems earlier in spring. However, the developers were still interested in proceeding with the project. The municipality will now work with the Okanagan Regional Library Board to find a suitable location. Other options for Wharton Street will be considered in the coming
months. This is not the first time a development proposal for Wharton Street has fallen through. In January, 2011, a similar proposal for the site was abandoned. Mike Rink of New Futures Development Group, had expressed an interest in the development but an agreement had not been signed. The property was then re-evaluated on March 28, 2011.
Page 14
Lake restored
After destruction from off-road vehicles, a lake near Summerland is returning to its natural state.
Page 3
Train riders
Passengers have continued to enjoy the Kettle Valley Steam Railway during the tourist train’s operating season this year.
Page 7
Fall Fair trophies
Trophies were awarded to top entrants in this year’s Summerland Fall Fair.
Pages 9 to 11
Fundraiser
A fundraising event in Summerland will benefit a boy with brain stem cancer.
Page 8
YOUR SMILE You may have a heart of gold, but so does a hard-boiled egg.
Floating fun
Carla McLeod Special to the Summerland Review
The Summerland Aquatic Centre recently purchased some new inflatables for use in the pool. Recreational Director, Dale MacDonald said “the methodology being that we have more for kids to do. We want to attract families and children.” Pictured here balancing on one of the new toys is nine-year-old Jordyn Emshay.
Electricity policy requested by John Arendt
The creator of an electrical power producing unit wants a policy which would allow independent power producers to interact with the existing utility grid and leverage the municipality’s current billing and electrical infrastructure investments. Jai Zachary of ElectroMotion Energy Corporation said his company’s
unit, the Revolution, combines heating, cooling, hot water and backup electrical systems into one unit. It creates electricity while heating the home, reducing electricity demand while also providing power to the utility grid which is then consumed by neighbours. Zachary is asking the municipality for permission to interact with the utility grid and implement a billing and
metering system to provide surplus power to the power utility. He said other communities already have billing policies to allow those who are generating electricity to sell their power to the utility. The billing system would benefit those who are producing surplus power. Installing Revolution units would also result in money savings for the municipality. Zachary said peak
demand is like rush hour energy traffic – when the highest level of electrical energy is consumed at the same time, like a high level watermark. For Summerland, this high demand period is during our heating months and affects electrical rates for the whole year. Peak penalties are charged because of peak demand, and in the past 10 years, Summerland’s peak penalties increased
from $17,430 to $256,886, an increase of more than 1,300 per cent. At present, one Revolution unit is in place in Summerland. If 1,000 Revolution units were operating almost all of the peak penalties would be eliminated, Zachary said. Earlier this month, he presented his proposal to municipal council. A decision is expected at the next municipal council meeting on Oct. 15.