LAKE COUNTRY, B.C. – Taxpayers are on the hook for millions of dollars after the purchase of the abandoned rail line between Kelowna and Coldstream. The City of Kelowna and several other municipalities struck a deal with CN Rail on Monday. With little information about how the $22 million for the rail bed will be raised, some taxpayers are already speaking out against the idea.
With some reports indicating Lake Country’s share would amount to about $4 million, residents like Guy Bissonnette aren’t happy.
“I think with the amount of roads that we have that are in a bad state of disrepair and are in a dangerous state to drive on, we can’t afford to spend money on a luxury if we can’t afford to invest in safer roads,” says Bissonnette.
However, Lake Country’s mayor says the purchase is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
“We have done a lot making the roads safer but the opportunity to do something in collaboration with others that would be a benefit over the long-term is why we are looking at this as a priority,” says James Baker.
As for the $4 million figure, Baker says he has no idea where that came from as that has yet to be established. Baker admits taxpayers would be on the hook if, after public consultation, Lake Country does decide to pitch in to its share of the purchase price..
“Whatever we borrow we have to pay back and our only source of revenue is property tax,” says Baker.
He says no decisions will be made without public input.
“We have a meeting scheduled with the task force group on December 16. Then we should be able to go to the public with exactly what we want to do.” .
Until that date, it won’t be clear how much each community has to pay but Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran says there is a four month due diligence period to figure that out.
“All of us during this due diligence period are looking at how we can come up with this funding and that includes external funding as well,” says Basran. He says the priority has been to protect the corridor but adds there is potential for much more.
“Active transportation and mass transit are two that would be heavily considered,” says Basran.
However, that’s still not enough for Bissonnette.
“A deal is only a deal if you can afford it,” says Bissonnette.
The railway company’s original asking price was $50 million.
The City of Kelowna will pay the $22 million initially and then be reimbursed by the other municipal partners.
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