Lake Okanagan Resort condo owners left in limbo after West Kelowna, B.C fire

Frustrated by the lack of action, Ormiston questions why the government isn’t stepping in to force the resort owners to restore utilities.

Two years after the devastating McDougall Creek fire burned down the majority of Lake Okanagan Resort, displaced residents struggle to rebuild as red tape delays recovery.

Heather Ormiston called her second-floor condo unit, overlooking Okanagan Lake, her retirement plan. Now, all that remains of Ormiston’s condo is a barren patch of rocks and gravel.

“It was an investment property — every dollar of our savings went into buying this for our future,” said Ormiston.

The fire destroyed 90 per cent of the resort, and dozens of displaced residents, including Ormiston, are still stuck in limbo. Unable to begin rebuilding, they face red tape that has kept them from moving forward.

Maria Hart, another condo owner, says, “It’s so frustrating. We’re still paying condo fees and taxes, some people are paying mortgages, and we don’t have a home we’re paying for. We have so much money tied up in that.”

The stalled recovery is taking a financial and emotional toll on the residents.

If the stalemate continues, the BC Homeowners Condominium Association warns the dispute could end up in court.

“After a year it usually means the parties affected will have to go into court to either get the courts to order the repairs to resolve this problem,” said Executive Director of the BC Condominiums Association, Tony Gioventu.