Residents had the chance to review and voice feedback on the idea of a Nordic spa up at Vernon's Rise Resort.
A public information session was held at the resort's Edge Event Centre Thursday, May 29. It was a chance for residents to learn about a proposed Official Community Plan amendment and rezoning application that would allow for the spa to be developed.
People trickled into the information session from 2 to 4 p.m., taking a look at information boards and a slideshow presentation depicting preliminary plans and possible spa features.
Terra Renton, president of The Rise Resort, was at the information session answering questions from the public.
"I think it would be an amazing thing for the area, I don't think there's anything like it," Renton said of the early plans for the spa which, if developed, would include indoor and outdoor pools with surrounding walking trails on the Rise Resort property.
Renton stressed that plans are in the very early stages and the Nordic spa itself has yet to be proposed. All that's currently being proposed is the OCP amendment and rezoning. Those applications should be seen by Vernon council soon, Renton said. If those hurdles are cleared, the resort will develop a business plan and bring it to the city for further approval.
The spa would allow guests to undergo the therapeutic experience of alternating hot and cold temperatures, with a steam room with temperatures between 40 and 47 degrees Celsius and a cold plunge of 5 to 20 C. Other features would include hot vitality pools, warm mineral pools, a grounding meditation path and cave, a snow cave, a sauna, a salt scrub station, a warm saltwater pool, a fireside lounge and more.
Renton said a full environmental assessment has been done on the property where the spa would be built.
People were invited to fill out a feedback form that asked whether they supported the proposed amendment and rezoning, if they had any concerns with the proposal, of if they have any suggested changes to the proposed plans.
Renton said in the first hour of public feedback the responses were almost all positive. The only concern was regarding the road up to the resort, which she said is expected to be upgraded sometime in the future.
The public feedback will be submitted to the City of Vernon for its consideration as part of the application process.
