SUNKATCHERS R.V. PARK CO

For M emb e rship
& V acancy
I n f orma t ion :
Sunkatchers R.V. Park
Co-operative
#174 4155 Hwy 3
Keremeos, B.C.
V0X 1N1
S U N K A T C H ERS
R . V . PA RK
C O - OPERA T I V E
Phone:
1-250-499-2065
Visi t :
13 km West of Keremeos
on Hwy. 3
(between Keremeos & Hedley)
40 minutes east of Princeton
45 minutes south of Penticton
An affordable home base
For senior RV’ers (over 45)
in the beautiful
Similkameen Valley
Sunkatchers is a
B.C. Registered
Co-operative, administered
by an elected
Board of Directors
Keremeos,
British Columbia
Sunkatchers R.V. Park Co-op
was formed a few years ago
by a group of RV’ers
who wanted a safe,
affordable “home base”.
The acreage they purchased
along the Similkameen River
has more than fulfilled
their expectations:
A spectacular rural setting
in the beautiful
Similkameen Valley yet near
to shopping & services;
10 minutes to Keremeos for
medical & general needs,
45 minutes to Penticton,
an easy connection to
Vancouver (4 hours)
Great Recreation Area:
Cathedral Lakes Provincial Park,
lake & river fishing,
golf courses, wineries,
hiking & biking,
Apex Mountain skiing,
the Okanagon &
immediate border routes south
for snowbirds.
Members are full-time RV’ers,
part-time RV’ers &
planning-for-retirement RV’ers.
Maintenance fees pay for:
water (deep well water of
exceptionally fine quality)
sewer, refuse disposal,
basic property taxes
and general park administration.
Telephone Service is available
6 0 Si t es
(approx . 4 8’ x 6 0’)
S enior A dul t s
(age 4 5 minimum)
M emb e rship Pr ice :
Cur r en t ly $ 2 5 , 0 0 0
(r e d e ema ble)
M ain t enance F e es
(cur r en t ly $ 5 5 / mon t h)
Und e rground U t ili t ies
S t or age S he ds
& Pa r k Mod els
Pe rmi t t e d
“ A Ye a r - Round Home”
Rememb e r :
- op
Pr ivileges &
Responsibili t ies
a r e sha r e d equally .
SUNKATCHERS R.V. PARK CO-OPERATIVE
4155 Hwy 3, Keremeos, B.C., V0X 1N1
Telephone: 250-499-2065
INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS:
We invite you to experience the wonderful world of SunKatchers RV Park Co-op in the beautiful Similkameen
Valley. Our senior adult park is located 8 miles (13 kms.) west of Keremeos on Hwy 3 alongside the Similkameen
River. Known as the fruit stand capital of Canada, this southern tip of the Okanagan offers fishing, swimming, rock
hounding, horses, orchards, wineries, magnificent scenery and good neighbours – like the shaggy mountain goats
and bighorn mountain sheep. We enjoy five area golf courses for three seasons and Apex Mountain skiing for the
fourth. (And we’d really prefer to keep all this a secret but from time to time we do have a lot or two available!)
SunKatchers is a registered Co-operative consisting of sixty shareholders, many of whom participated in the
development of our sixty underground-serviced lots, an accomplishment of which they are justifiably proud!
SunKatchers is a senior adult park geared to the RV lifestyle. Minimum age is 45 years. Presently total
membership price is $25,000 in the form of redeemable shares – this price is subject to change.
As a shareholder you will sign an Indenture (Occupancy Agreement) and have the use of an approximately
48’x60’ RV lot for as long as you remain a member. Maintenance fees cover the ongoing expenses of taxes and
common building utilities. Each lot is individually metered for electricity. Maintenance fees are currently $55 per
month – subject to change.
th
Since the park is a permanent home basis for all of our members, the only RVs accepted into the park are 5
wheels, trailers, motor homes and RV park models. A former residence on the property is now our clubhouse.
There is a maintenance shop, washroom, laundry and office. The old store is now our pool/exercise room.
Our Co-op Rules as defined in our Certificate of Incorporation and the Occupancy Agreement must be read
before making a commitment. We highly recommend a personal visit to the park to experience the beauty of our
surroundings and the friendly atmosphere created by our members. You will be shown around and interviewed by
our Membership committee who will be happy to answer any questions you have.
Attached is weather information for the Keremeos area, which is comparable to the mild climate of Osoyoos. The
sun is warm, the breeze refreshing and the snow almost always stays in the mountains.
If we have enticed you to investigate further, or if you already enjoy the freedom of an RV lifestyle, do come for a
visit. All membership applications are presented to our Board of Directors for approval. Remember, we are a Coop and participation by our members in the operation of the park is the key to our success in maintaining low
costs.
Because of our location next to the Similkameen River there are covenants issued by the Ministry of the
Environment to absolve them of any financial responsibility should the 200 year flood occur. These are on file in
the office and can be viewed at any time.
We look forward to seeing you. Questions are welcomed. Thanks for your interest.
SUNKATCHERS RV PARK CO-OPERATIVE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Version 0/13/08/08/lw/membership
HOW IT ALL STARTED
The idea for our Co-op began in May 1993, after the Okanogan Escapee Chapter #33
Annual Meeting. It was decided to write to every known Escapee in Canada to see if the
numbers were there to form a co-op in this area.
Others investigated possible sites from Cherryville in the north to Osoyoos, Rock Creek
and Christina Lake closer to the border. Thousands of miles later, a meeting was held
that fall to consider the three best sites. No one site was voted conclusively and we
reluctantly gave up for the winter.
It quickly became apparent that there were not enough Escapees interested in a
Canadian Co-op. Meanwhile, the parent group nixed further co-ops anywhere. Two
letters published in the RV Times brought many enquiries and we were much
encouraged as we entered 1994.
We heard about this property in May and the Steering Committee was unanimous in
their approval. 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 have zoning
by-laws. This meant that improvements would likely be grand-fathered in any future
zoning.
A deal was signed, a deposit placed and we had thirty days to come up with
$150,000.00. The balance would be carried by the sellers on an open mortgage. Frantic
phoning brought in the required money, plus working capital, and we had our property.
A first meeting was held in early July, our first Board was elected and we were a reality.
We were offered the net camping revenue from the park from August 1st if we took over
management of the then campground. The pioneers of our group accepted the
challenge and worked the long hours required.
A further general meeting was held in late September and by October we were able to
burn the mortgage. Plans were forming for the replacement of services. A hardy group
wintered on the site and ground was broken in February 1995 after much planning.
New sewer, water, TV and telephone cables were laid as well as individual electric
services with meters. For these four months it was a war zone with open trenches
everywhere. With the exception of a supervising electrician and a hired digger at the
end, it was all accomplished by the members of the day.
By June, 1995, the trenches were closed and beautification began. You will need to
spend some time with the pictorial history in our clubhouse to understand the full impact
of what was accomplished in those early years.
Another side not covered well pictorially, but nevertheless very important, was the
yeoman work done by others to ensure that the “I”s were dotted and the "T"s crossed.
The work done to create the agreements with various departments of governments and
to write the Indenture, Rules etc., was an important, if sometimes overlooked, job.
We now have a park to be proud of, with no debts, money in reserve for emergencies
and yes, in the year 2003, the dues were re-established at - $55.00 a month.