info & rules - b-c

How It All Started… The idea for our Co-op began in May 1993, after the Okanagan Escapee Chapter’s annual meeting. It was decided then to write every known Escapee living in Canada to see if there was an interest to form a co-op in this area. A Steering Committee investigated possible sites in Cherryville, Osoyoos, Rock Creek and Christina Lake. A meeting was held that fall to consider the best site. No site could be agreed upon and the search was reluctantly given up for the winter. Two letters published in the RV Times brought many enquiries and the committee was much encouraged as 1994 began. The Steering Committee heard about our present property in May and the Steering Committee’s approval was unanimous. The value was there in land, buildings and services. More important was the fact that it was currently licensed for our purposes and the area did not having zoning by-laws. This meant that improvements would be grand-fathered into future zoning by-laws. A deal was signed, a deposit placed and there was thirty days to come up with $150,000.00. The balance was carried by the sellers on an open mortgage. Frantic phoning brought in the required money and working capital and we had our property. A first meeting was held in July 1994, the first Board elected, and our Co-op was a reality. We were offered net revenue from the park from August 1st if we took over management of the existing campground. The pioneers of Sunkatchers accepted the challenge and worked the long hours required. A general meeting was held in September and by October we were able to burn the mortgage. Plans were formed for the replacement of services. A hardy group wintered on the site and ground was broken in February 1995. New sewer and water pipes, TV cables and telephone lines were laid. Each site was provided with electrical service. For those first four months it was a war zone with open trenches everywhere. Except for a supervising electrician and hired digger, it was all accomplished by the members. By June 1995 the trenches were closed, and beautification began. You will need to spend some time perusing the pictorial history albums to understand the full impact of what was accomplished in those early years. Also important was the yeoman work done to ensure that the “I” s were dotted, and the “T” s crossed. The work done to create the agreements with various government departments, and to write the “Rules” was an important, if sometimes overlooked job. We now have a park to be proud of, free of debt and money in reserve for emergencies. Revised October 2018