O'Keefe Ranch Volunteers Ask Council for Clarity on Future

Volunteer group that operates O’Keefe Ranch is asking Vernon City Council for clear direction on the future of the historic site

Vernon, January 17 2027 - A representative of the volunteer group that operates O’Keefe Ranch is asking Vernon City Council for clear direction on the future of the historic site, saying ongoing uncertainty is making it increasingly difficult to sustain operations.

Douglas MacGregor stood before council on January 12, stressing he was not speaking in his role as president of the O’Keefe Ranch

Douglas MacGregor stood before council on January 12, stressing he was not speaking in his role as president of the O’Keefe Ranch and Interior Heritage Society, but as a volunteer. He told council the delegation was not seeking funding, but answers.

MacGregor said volunteers want to know whether they can continue their duties at the ranch and whether the City has an end plan for the property. He noted the society has faced significant challenges in recent years and said uncertainty is weighing heavily on those keeping the ranch running.

He pointed out the volunteer base has an average age of about 78 years old, calling it admirable that seniors have stepped up to keep the ranch operating. Over the past year, MacGregor said volunteers contributed an estimated 85,000 hours of labour, the equivalent of about $170,000 in wages and benefits, at a time when the ranch has no paid staff.

MacGregor said the society needs guidance now, particularly because its operating agreement with the City expires in 2027. With that deadline approaching, he said volunteers need to know whether continuing their efforts makes sense.

He asked council whether there are plans for the ranch’s future and whether the society will have a role in operating it moving forward. Without that information, he said, volunteers are left wondering whether the site could eventually be shuttered or sold.

MacGregor said the request for clarity is not just on behalf of volunteers, but the broader Vernon community, noting residents frequently ask what will happen to the ranch. He said the society has heard nothing over the past year regarding long-term plans.

The lack of direction, MacGregor said, also affects the society’s ability to apply for grants and raise funds. Granting agencies and donors want to know whether their money is supporting a long-term future or simply keeping the ranch alive temporarily. He said that same uncertainty makes it difficult to attract new volunteers.

MacGregor added that other municipalities have stopped providing funding, making it unrealistic to seek outside support if the City of Vernon itself is not committed. While volunteers operate the ranch, he said the City owns it, and that ownership plays a role in whether others are willing to contribute.

He also raised concerns about staffing, saying it would be difficult to recruit a manager or skilled employees for a short-term position without a clear future. As a major tourist attraction, he said, the ranch requires planning and continuity to operate effectively.

MacGregor asked council to reflect on the importance of O’Keefe Ranch to the community and the Okanagan Valley, describing it as the region’s largest historical site and a destination that draws visitors from around the world. He reiterated that volunteers are not seeking money, only clarity on what lies ahead and whether they will be part of that process.

Council members did not ask any questions following the presentation.

Mayor Victor Cumming said there is support for the current lease through 2027 and indicated the matter would return to council as a request. Council then voted unanimously to receive the presentation.

When asked by MacGregor whether council would follow up with him, the mayor said yes.

You can watch the presentation HERE