The Chelsea Estate property, which many locals had their eyes on for a potential park expansion, has been sold.
The property listing on Colliers International is now marked as sold, though the deal is still being finalized. It’s not clear who purchased the 234 acres along Okanagan Lake; on Tuesday (April 27) the listing real estate agent could only comment that the conditions on the sale have been removed, but the deal has not yet closed.
The Chelsea Estate lands generated widespread local interest last year when an online petition requesting the province to purchase the lands to expand the neighbouring Ellison Provincial Park garnered more than 20,000 signatures.
The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce also got behind the idea.
“Just as the creation of Fintry and Kekuli Bay provincial parks in the last 30 years have contributed to the Okanagan’s economy and lifestyle, we believe strongly that the addition of the 234 acres to Ellison Provincial Park will provide a legacy for future generations,” chamber president Krystin Kempton said in July 2020.
The City of Vernon has confirmed it is not involved in the sale at all. A Spokesperson for BC Parks also confirmed the province was not in on the purchase.
“While the province had preliminary discussions with local government about potential partnerships to acquire Chelsea Estate, the Chelsea Estate property is no longer available for potential acquisition,” the spokesperson said.
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