A group of local climbers hope to preserve access to a couple of prime areas in Castlegar.
A delegation from the West Kootenay Rock Climbers Association appeared before city council this week, explaining that two properties are for sale near the Kinnaird Bluffs, which the association acquired in 2015.
President Yann Troutet said they are not necessarily trying to acquire the land themselves, but they intend to approach The Land Conservancy of BC and would like to ensure they have the city’s support first.
One property, in the 2700 block of 14th Avenue, is for sale in the $900,000 range. Troutet said it is owned by someone who hopes to preserve it as a climbing area. Another smaller property to the south is for sale for about $700,000. The combined price is much more than what the properties sold for a few years ago, he added.
Troutet said the properties in question have been identified as being part of a recreational corridor valuable to the community dating back to the 1990s.
Councillor Sue Heaton-Sherstobitoff asked whether the properties could be built upon, and whether the city would be in a position to buy them. City manager Chris Barlow replied the lands have never been evaluated for development, but the only reason the city would buy them would be to preserve them as recreational amenities.
Mayor Maria McFaddin said she learned to climb on the Kinnaird Bluffs and supports the organization’s efforts, but didn’t want to make any promises given the amount of money involved. She encouraged the society to appear before other bodies, including the recreation commission.
Barlow also suggested the society speak with the present owners of the properties about the minimum amount they would be willing to accept, and whether they would be open to other considerations such as land swaps.
Troutet said his group talked to The Land Conservancy five years ago, when asking prices were lower, but the organization would only get involved if the city was willing to support keeping the area as a green space. Troutet said that support wasn’t forthcoming at the time.
However, following his presentation to council this week, he was feeling better about it.
“I’m sufficiently encouraged by what I’m hearing to reach out again to these land trusts who potentially have the money to purchase these [properties] outright, so long as they know it’s going to be supported for conservation/preservation values,” Troutet said.
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