“When Wesbild purchased Predator Ridge in 2007, the Vancouver-based developer brought with it its strong commitment to community spirit, not only to the golf resort, but to the North Okanagan region.
THE WARM HEART OF A GROWING COMMUNITY
Located on the outer edges of Vernon – the North Okanagan’s largest city – one might wonder how well an outlying golf course and resort can be integrated into the wider city community, but the Predator Ridge Golf Resort and the city of Vernon co-exist in a harmonious and mutually beneficial way. Golfers from Vernon and beyond enjoy the spectacular courses and amenities that Predator Ridge provides, while businesses large and small benefit from having both guests and residents from a sizeable resort nearby.
When Wesbild purchased Predator Ridge in 2007, the Vancouver-based developer brought with it its strong commitment to community spirit, not only to the golf resort, but to the North Okanagan region.
Already well-entrenched in the community with its ownership of the Turtle Mountain development located above Vernon city, Wesbild recently purchased the naming rights to the city’s Multiplex – now called Wesbild Centre. This multi-sport athletic and cultural facility is home to the Vernon Vipers hockey team, and also hosts many conventions, regional trade shows and concerts year round. In B.C.’s Lower Mainland, Wesbild is best known for combining vibrant master-planned communities and world-class golf experiences on Coquitlam’s award-winning Westwood Plateau.
Lee Gardiner, marketing and community relations specialist for Predator Ridge, says that Predator Ridge and Wesbild are active in supporting community initiatives. “We’ve provided support to the local ‘Battle of the Books’ contest for grade school students in our school district, contributed towards the recent Canada Day fireworks, supported programming at the Vernon Women’s Transition House, as well as provided prizing for charitable auctions throughout the community.”
She says in the past Predator Ridge has also sponsored field trips to the Allan Brooks Nature Centre for students. “Our primary goal with our community program is to support the needs of the community and to hopefully give community members access to programs and opportunities that they otherwise might not have.”
In 2007, the Predator Ridge Community Arts Festival raised over $5,000 for the ‘Back to School Project.’ The proceeds from that event went directly into the purchase of school supplies for needy families in the Lumby, Cherryville and Vernon communities.
Within Predator Ridge itself, guests staying in the onsite lodge and cottages, along with the many part- and fulltime residents, are actively encouraged to mingle and socialize.
“We try to plan for at least one special event per day during the summer,” says Gardiner. “Recently, we hosted our first ‘Cinema under the Stars at Predator Ridge’ event where we screened a movie outdoors on the practice range.
People sat out on the hillside under the starry sky, watched the movie and ate popcorn. A few hundred guests and residents came by for it, and we are doing it twice more this summer.”
She adds that Predator Ridge also offers guided hikes – some at sunset with wine and cheese – and is also planning to host an Arts Walk again this year to help showcase local artistic talent.
More than just a golf resort, Predator Ridge amenities promote social gatherings, whether in the fitness centre, the communal neighbourhood swimming pools and hot tubs, the “In the Cup Cafe,” or in the Lounge and “r a n g e” dining establishments at the Clubhouse. “There’s a keen group of women who do the spin classes together at the fitness club, and regularly scheduled classes for yoga, pilates or golf fitness are also a good way to meet other people who are either staying or living at the resort,” says Gardiner.
Located less than 10 minutes from downtown Vernon, Predator Ridge is an exceptional place to vacation or call home. The 1,200-acre award- winning development boasts miles of natural wooded trails ideal for hiking and biking.
Literally steps away is the namesake golf course, a 27-hole facility made up of three different courses that has ranked in Canada’s top 25 public golf courses for eight years running. A fullservice clubhouse, golf performance centre, fitness centre, pools, an AVEDA spa and luxurious accommodation offer guests a variety of activities on the resort in addition to its convenient access to nearby lakes, ski hills and wineries.
Sounds like an idyllic lifestyle community? It is. And one with heart to boot.
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