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Osoyoos deals with new growth

By Tracy Clark

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Osoyoos deals with new growth

Tents and motorhomes are out and condos are in.

It’s all part of a move that the town of Osoyoos is making from family camping destination to international resort destination, as work on more than $200 million in lakeside resort developments begins.

With an influx of wineries, a mild climate and proximity to both Calgary and Vancouver, as well as a relative affordability compared with other resort communities, Osoyoos’ popularity is continuing to grow.

Osoyoos as a summer destination is nothing new. Many families have been travelling to Osoyoos to camp near the lake for generations.

However, where young families used to come with campers, tents or motorhomes for a few days, today’s visitor is looking for an investment opportunity with a range of amenities, golf courses, wine tours and spa treatments.

“We now know there’s a high-yield visitor who is sophisticated, well-travelled, has investment dollars to spend, and is looking for a premium quality experience. That’s our focus now,” said Glenn Mandziuk, executive director of Destination Osoyoos.

The Osoyoos Indian Band Development Corporation is just one of the groups capitalizing on that demand. The band’s many firsts, including the first aboriginal-owned and operated winery and its desert centre that showcases Canada’s only desert is paying off.

It was these successes and the band’s vision for the future that prompted Bellstar Hotels and Resorts to join forces with the Osoyoos Indian Band to create Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort and Spa. This week the $75 million resort announced the opening of its full-service spa — another first for the town — and wrapped up the first phase of the development.

At the same time, sales on the 132-unit second phase began and within two days, sold nearly one-third of its initial offering.

Jessica Harcombe with Bellstar said the story is the same for developments all over Osoyoos.

“As soon as sales are released they are snapped up,” she said.

Following close on the heels of Spirit Ridge is the Watermark Resort, that is attracting that same discerning clientele looking for a top-quality getaway from larger centres.

The $65-million development sold 70 per cent of its 123 condo suites and 30 beachfront resorts in one day last fall and earlier this month relaunched its efforts to sell the remain 30 per cent of its resort.

“We’re bullish on resort development, especially resorts that appeal to baby boomers,” said Osoyoos Shoreline development manager Glen Harris. “Some of them have nostalgic ties to this area. They’ve been coming here since they were kids when Osoyoos was known for its campgrounds. It’s still a fun place to come to, but now we are older and wiser now and we’re also looking for sophistication and comfort.”

Mayor John Slater said council, however, is working to ensure that the catering to this new investor is not coming at the expense of current residents.

“There’s a huge amount of interest outside the community in what’s being developed here,” he said. “It’s a different clientele and we welcome them, but we must make sure we are still affordable for young families.”

The town is taking cues from other resort communities and learning from others mistakes like Whistler that are dealing with similar circumstances, where the cost of land is getting out of reach for full-time residents.

“Low cost housing is a huge concern, with prices doubling for land,” he said, adding that creating strategies to deal with low cost housing as a part of a healthy community is the “way of the future.”

“You need multigenerational families living here.”

Part of that plan will be to ensure that developers contribute to those strategies, said Slater.

The town recently passed a density bonusing bylaw, under which developers will be able to build higher density projects, in exchange for providing assets and/or cash for various community projects, including affordable housing, cultural and recreational facilities and parklands.

Harcombe said she applauds the town’s careful planning strategies.

“I think they are definitely doing it right,” she said pointing to the town’s other move to exclude “big-box” stores by placing a maximum square footage requirement on retail space.

Ultimately Harcombe said creating a balance in the community will ensure the it remains attractive to both full time young residents and families and the newer, “high-yield” seasonal residents for years to come.

 

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