The answer Yes and is it may have been the best thing that could have happen.
About 10 years ago PIB found out that the proposal to develop a destination casino on the lands known as Arrow Leaf was not going to happen. Instead the Provincial Government at that time awarded the license to the Lakeside Resort. The Band has spent significant time and resources to interest investors in a design that would have been a world class location for a casino, a golf course, resort and residential development. With the demise of this plan the land has remained undeveloped to this day.
In 2009 the Penticton Indian Band community gave approval to look at the 550-acre site west of the airport, for future development. It had already received “land designation approval” from INAC but what was missing was a partner who was willing to work with us to finance, designing and engineer a new type of development on the land. The PIBDC board knew that they needed to find a company the right company with expertise to help make something happen. Last summer a “request for qualification” or RFQ was sent out and published in print and electronic form across Canada.
The response was nothing less that impressive with 23 different companies and individuals requesting our information package. After three months the PIBDC had received 9 formal submissions from very well respected BC and Alberta groups. A committee of the PIBDC was formed to review and rate the respondents based upon a weighted matrix. From the original list three firms ended up being invited to Penticton to present their vision and background to the Board. In the end the decision came down to picking one of two very qualified companies that had shown that they had the necessary “righ stuff” and ability to work with us.
The decision was not an easy one. Ernest Jack, President of the PIBDC indicated that we were both blessed and cursed to have to choose between two very strong candidates that we could work with. In the end a unanimous recommendation was made to Chief and Council to go with Crown Isle Corporation, from Comox on Vancouver Island.
Crown Isle has successfully developed a world-class development there that respects the natural environment, created one of the best golf courses in Canada and has substantially added to the local economy through the creation of permanent employment and a sizable tax base. It has brought new capital investment into that community and is a recognized as a major destination for residents and visitors alike.
Work is just beginning to draw up a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between PIB and Crown Isle. There are many things that must be considered from a community, business and legal point of view. In the months to come there are major deliberations that include a master plan, provisions of services to the site, an upgraded access from the highway, design and land use plans and community involvement. The Company has already agreed that no work would progress without the full agreement and financial partnership with the Band.
This is just the beginning of a long relationship and both sides are committed to making it fit into the values and vision of the future as well as one that will benefit the community and the whole of the South Okanagan.