O'Keefe Ranch faces closure as Vernon declines lease renewal

The Historic O’Keefe Ranch & Interior Heritage Society has been informed that the City of Vernon will not extend its lease agreement beyond its expiry date on March 31, 2027. The city owns the ranch, which was donated to the municipality in perpetuity by the Devonian Foundation.

Society president Douglas MacGregor stated that the future of the ranch is uncertain without an alternative arrangement. The decision necessitates the dissolution of the society and will impact various community partners, including the Pioneer Power Club, the North Okanagan Model Railway exhibit, Hamming Farms, and local school district educational programs.

The society is now preparing for an orderly wind-down of operations and the disposition of assets, which include livestock, farm equipment, and various antique items such as stagecoaches and carriages.