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October 30, 2013
▼ ASPEN GROVE
Inside
Final days for ‘lovely little golf course’
Divining water A project is underway to locate wetlands in the Okanagan Valley and discover whether people value them, and in what ways. ..................................
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B.C. politics columnist Tom Fletcher reviews updated version of book: Tax Me, I’m Canadian, a good refresher course for all of us on the realities of our system. ...............................
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Flyers ■ Budget Blinds ■ Home Depot ■ Shoppers ■ Staples
Agriculture Land Commission has approved the sale of the Aspen Grove golf course to the Central Okanagan School District. KEVIN PARNELL When the Kelowna golf foursome of Babcock and Bombay pulled into the parking lot of Aspen Grove Golf Course in Lake Country last week, little did they know it would likely be the last time they played one of their favourite courses. There wasn’t another soul on the course or in the restaurant and the foursome would have the nine hole track all to themselves in what would go down as one of the final rounds played at Aspen Grove. The par three course which will eventually be turned into playing fields for both George Elliot secondary as well as a new junior-middle school that will be built next to Lake Country’s high school. “That’s too bad,” said Larry Babcock when told of the impending closure of the course. “It’s a lovely little golf course. It’s flat, it’s short, there is a great restaurant. It’s a great place to play.” The thoughts echoed those of Lake Country
KEVIN PARNELL/LAKE COUNTRY CALENDAR
GOLFERS Evie and Larry Babcock (left) and Dorothy and Rob Bombay head for what will likely be their final
round at the Aspen Grove Golf Course, set to close forever on Dec. 24. golfers who will lose the area’s only course with the sale of Aspen Grove to the Central Okanagan School District. The final condition of the sale was removed last week when the Agriculture Land Commission approved an application by the two parties to allow for non-farm use of the golf course, which had remained protected under the Agriculture Land Reserve. In order to accommo-
KEVIN PARNELL/LAKE COUNTRY CALENDAR
CONSTRUCTION is underway on a new portable annex that will house Grade 7
students in Lake Country next year.
date existing and projected enrolment growth in Lake Country, a grade 7-8 middle school program is being created at George Elliot Secondary School starting September 2014. A six classroom portable annex is being constructed onsite to accommodate the grade 7 students next year. It will mean the end of the golf course, restaurant and meeting rooms at Aspen Grove which is now slated to be closed for good Dec. 24. Nearly 30 employees have received notice they will be laid off before Christmas this year. “Working here has been a wonderful experience and (the owner) is a great guy to work for,” said Cheranda Schulz. “I totally understand where (the sale) is coming from. I don’t know what kind of impact it’s going to have on Lake Country. But I see it as being a good thing for children and it will hopefully bring more opportunities to broaden kids learning experiences.” A new middle school in Lake Country is the fourth priority in the Central Okanagan School District’s 5-Year Capital Plan. The construction of the new school is dependent on funding support from the Ministry of Educa-
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