Representation

The local climbers will spearhead the push to find a resolution to the access issue. They will operate under some title still to be decided but will only incorporate as a non-profit society if the need arises. In the wake of past efforts to maintain access to the Bluffs, City Council is well aware that climbers’ can work effectively without formal structure. It was felt important that it is locals that deal with local government, landowners, and other organizations. However, the importance of having the backing of a broader-based and formally structured organization is recognized.  Drew Fullerton is the local CASBC director and will keep that group abreast of what is happening here. Organizational chores have been taken on by Hugh Lenney, Russ Turner, Sean Dougherty, Drew Fullerton, and Howie Richardson. This core is not meant to be exclusive and many others will be involved in various ways. Howie Richardson will be the spokesperson for “The Friends of Skaha Bluffs”. 

The Status Quo

Hugh Dunlop is still in the process of selling Braesyde. An offer has been tendered by one group and there are other potential buyers in the works. Even if Hugh still owns the farm next Spring he has no intention of operating the car park or allowing access across the farm.  Most local climbers are in full support for Hugh’s position and feel that only this closure can generate the urgency to find a permanent solution. The arrangement we had with him was temporary and, obviously, likely to end at any time. Hugh has made a number of efforts to try to put this arrangement on a more permanent footing but has received little support in what is a complex problem. It was the unanimous view at the meeting that climbers should thank him for having been a good friend to us over the last 12 years rather than getting pissed off because he is at a point in life where he needs to go in a different direction.  John Skinner, the owner of the large, new vineyard to the south of Braesyde has just purchased the 29-acre lot on the SE edge of Braesyde. The house on this lot is plainly visible from the top of The Steps. His plan is to replace the existing house with 50 town houses but needs planning permission to do so. As a bargaining chip to get what he wants he has offered the City to provide access to Skaha Bluffs (see Penticton Herald, Wed Nov. 22^nd Page 1). There are significant flaws to his plan:

1. Only the initial 100m (the top, paved portion of Smythe Drive) of the access route is actually on his property.  
2. The next portion would follow a rough track up a gully that forms the boundary between his new lot and Braesyde Farm. This would be on Braesyde property, is in the Agricultural Land Reserve, and would have a grade of 25%.
3. Parking would also be on Braesyde Farm close to the bottom of The Steps.

However, he is now on record as offering access and his plans clearly depend on some arrangement with the City. There is a 700+ acre lot to the East of the above-mentioned properties. The southwest corner of this property extends almost to the top of The Steps. It is zoned for 50-acre lots but there are several problems around access to this lot that are currently blocking development.  The Wiltse family controls all possible access points at the north end of Skaha Bluffs. They too see access as a bargaining chip in future development of these properties but currently have no need to play that chip.  

What is happening?

After some months of pestering, the City has asked local climbers to attend a meeting on November 30^th  to present their ideas for solving the access issue. The Mayor, city planner, head of the Parks and Rec Department, and a BC Parks representative will be there, hopefully to help bypass some of the problems that we currently experience in trying to solve the issue. Laurie Edward, the Special Project Manager from MEC spent a busy 24 hours in Penticton meeting a variety of people and offering MEC’s support in this project. Several conservation organizations have looked at acquiring property in this area because of its outstanding natural history. The Land Conservancy (TLC) is unique amongst these in supporting land acquisitions for recreational value alone. Their expertise is in brokering complex land deals. They have been working on the problems surrounding access to the Malamute at Squamish and have been approached to see if they can put together a deal that can satisfy the needs of all parties. Much of our proposed action depends on the outcome of the November 30^th meeting with the Mayor et al. but all centre around improving the information flow to climbers who are not quite as close to the action and to elicit the support of other local groups that will also lose out if they can no longer wander in the Bluffs. 

What can I do?

Last time we faced this problem climbers jammed up the fax machine at City Hall for hours at a time. City council know exactly who we are and how motivated when it comes to issues like this. If we come away from the meeting on November 30^th with the feeling that they are still fence-sitting it will be time to mobilize the e-mail campaign. We need to be aware that such a campaign is just as likely to alienate some council members as it is to gain their support. Keep track of how to help by regularly checking the skaha.org web site.