Image Credit: Shutterstock
January 18, 2019 - 10:42 AM
OPINION
Editor,
RE: Jan. 17 letter to the editor by Al Janusas headlines Questions raised about City of Kelowna purchase of Diamond Mountain lands
Thank you for your interest in this story. I would like to challenge a couple of your assumptions, however. While this may leave you with more questions than answers, I certainly believe that because I was involved in this project for the last 12 years, I could be considered an expert in it.
You are correct that we were turned down by City Hall in March of last year for the development known as Diamond Mountain. That project was 12 years in the making. Rather than wallow in discouragement, we soldiered on to find a sustainable solution for the issues that Council had, attempting to work towards a waste to energy solution. At the same time, we pursued our subdivision of the property.
We did not approach the City to sell. I have never spoken with Johannes and was surprised that he was chosen as the City’s spokesperson. But when an offer came from the City, it was the best solution to keep the lands developable in the long term, while they figure out a solution for the landfill.
Troika believes in community sustainability and benefit, and with the City’s ownership of the lands, my hope is that those lands will one day be the environmentally, culturally, and socially sustainable solution for people living closer to where they work, go to school, and play.
The sale had nothing to do with any friendship or a slow-down in the market. Troika just launched a new project and will continue to do so! We believe in our community!
Kind Regards,
Renee Wasylyk
CEO, Troika Developments
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor.
News from © iNFOnews, 2019