Gymnastic club wins land battle
Image: Camille Martens Camille Martens has won a major victory in the ongoing battle with local elected officials.
Camille Martens is breathing an Olympic-sized sigh of relief.
Martens operates Okanagan Rhythmic Gymnastics and has been odds with the North Okanagan Regional District for years over the facility that is on farm land at 2515 East Vernon Rd.
But on Friday, the former Olympian and national champion announced the Agricultural Land Commission approved the club’s application for non-farm use.
“After nearly three years of nightmares there is a huge ray of sunshine on us today,” Martens said in a release.
“My heart is totally overwhelmed with gratitude for our many loving and generous supporters. Words can not explain the levels of widespread uncertainty, fear and exhaustion of this whole process. The relief is completely overtaking me; the tears are flowing, can’t stop crying.”
Martens said she is hoping “we can work together with RDNO to finalize everything as soon as possible in terms of what they will require now.
“The fact that they can’t shut us down…just no words.”
Over the past few years, the RDNO has had the club in its crosshairs, ordering it to close several times for various reasons.
The club has consistently produced world-class athletes who have competed around the globe.
All Biz Releases Stories
