By Toby Gorman - Nanaimo News Bulletin

Published: March 11, 2010 1:00 PM
Updated: March 11, 2010 1:17 PM

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The Regional District of Nanaimo is again teaming up with the Nanaimo and Area Land Trust to preserve a pristine piece of central Island property.

Two years ago, the organizations raised $950,000 to purchase and protect 210-hectares of Mount Benson from development.

This time, the RDN and NALT are hitching their wagons to each other to buy Moorecroft Camp, a 34-hectare property in Nanoose Bay that features 2,800 linear feet of oceanfront property, Garry oak ecosystems and a stand of coastal Douglas fir trees.

The last assessment performed on the property was in 2007 when it was deemed to be worth around $8 million.

“We’ve had this property listed as a priority since 1995 in our regional parks plan,” said Joe Stanhope, RDN board chairman. “We’re excited to have this opportunity. It’s a wonderful piece of property.”

The Comox-Nanaimo Presbytery of the United Church voted earlier this month to sell the property, with conditions that prefer a conservation covenant and a purchaser intent on keeping the property as a camp.

The church says that money will go directly into its CampFutures project and the Comox-Nanaimo Presbytery.

The RDN and municipalities within it collect $600,000 annually from a $10 parcel tax to help pay for adding to the inventory of regional parks.

It’s not clear yet how the partnership will work, but Stanhope said it will take the co-operation of several conservation agencies, including the Nature Conservancy of Canada, Land Conservancy of B.C. and Western Canada Wilderness Committee to execute the purchase.

Gail Adrienne, executive director of NALT, said an application will be submitted to the Nature Conservancy of Canada for federal grant money.

She added that the timing is perfect as the federal organization is prioritizing conservation in the Salish Sea geographical area.

If successful, that grant could cover as much as 50 per cent of the cost, and the required conservation covenant could drop the assessed value by 50 per cent.

A six-month window is expected to open soon for bidders and Adrienne said it will take a minimum of three months to put a covenant in place.

If successful, Stanhope said a management structure will be needed to maintain the camp building and property.

“In my opinion, maintenance will be considerable and we can’t just place that burden on taxpayers of the RDN,” said Stanhope.”Once the initial excitement of the purchase is over, we will need an agency to continue to look after the property.”

Camping programs will continue through September despite the uncertainty of the camp’s future. Moorecroft Camp has been a popular camp in the region since the mid-1950s.

reporter2@nanaimobulletin.com

RDN steps in to buy old summer camp property
 
United Church recently voted to sell waterfront land on Nanoose Bay
 
BY DARRELL BELLAART, THE DAILY NEWSMARCH 11, 2010
 
 
The Regional District of Nanaimo is ready to buy the Moorecroft Camp property at Nanoose Bay from the United Church.

The RDN board voted behind closed doors Tuesday to partner with Nanaimo Area Land Trust to buy the property used as a summer camp since the 1950s.

The motion passed calls for the RDN to "pursue a partnership agreement with NALT" to acquire Camp Moorecroft lands as a regional park.

The church wants market value for the lands, but no one was able to give a price. NALT estimates the figure could be around $5 million if the land is preserved as a park. The RDN could pay for it out of a regional park acquisition fund, but there is a concern about protecting taxpayers from the annual maintenance costs for buildings on the property.

The decision still needs support from NALT's board of directors and final RDN ratification.

"This is big news," said RDN board chairman Joe Stanhope on Wednesday. He was already on record supporting the purchase, but needed support from the rest of the board to move forward.

"I don't think there was a hell of a lot of convincing because the lands, let's face it, that's a crown jewel. It's 85 acres and it's 2,800 feet of waterfront. It's unique."

Conditions of the sale call for a protective covenant on the land to prevent its future development, to allow the camp to continue. The church wants to give preference to local buyers.

Stanhope couldn't say the land's selling price, but NALT executive director Gail Adrienne said a real estate review done in 2004 "suggested the value, without the covenant, would be $8 million to $12 million and with the covenant on it could drop to half of that."

Stanhope said the sale would pivot on finding partners to cover annual maintenance costs. NALT is approaching the Boys and Girls Club of Central Vancouver Island, the Moorecroft Camp Society, Land Conservancy of B.C., Western Canada Wilderness Society and Mid-Island Co-op for support.

The Nature Conservancy of Canada is expected to play a lead role in the deal, including help to word the protective covenant.

The property at 1536 Stewart Ave. is zoned for recreation use. NALT'S board met last night to vote on the issue.

The RDN open board vote will be on March 23.

DBellaart@nanaimodailynews.com

© Copyright (c) Canwest News Service

 NEWS RELEASE

PARKSVILLE: Saturday, February 27, 2010

The Comox-Nanaimo Presbytery announced today that after careful consideration and deliberation, a motion was passed that would enable, in principle and with a conservation covenant and other conditions in place, the sale of Camp Moorecroft in the Nanoose area, with preference to local, community-based buyer, who would allow United Church camping to continue.

The Moorecroft Camp Society Board will continue with their plans for active 2010 camping programs at Moorecroft as approved by the Presbytery. The Moorecroft Camp Society and the Presbytery will be working closely with the BC Conference, the Nature Conservancy of Canada and other agencies such as the Nanaimo Area Land Trust to put a binding conservation covenant in place. There is a lot of work to be done before any final permission around the sale is given. The motion passed was:

"That the Comox-Nanaimo Presbytery gives permission in principle to the BC Conference Property Development Committee to sell Camp Moorecroft with a conservation covenant in place and honouring the values of the Camp Futures Project Sales Policy and, all things being equal, give preference to a local community based buyer who would allow United Church camping to continue. In order for such a buyer to be able to make an acceptable bid, the bidding process would remain open for at least six months, thus enabling the proposed buyer to make an accredited offer with a secured funding source already in place.

Key to the decision was the protection of Moorecroft through a binding conservation covenant on the land to protect it in perpetuity.

For more information, contact Rev Bill Laurie, Conference Minister, or Rev Peggy Jensen, Chair of the Comox-Nanaimo Presbytery.

Rev Bill Laurie         
         wdlaurie@telus.net
         
         Rev PeggyJensen
         tuminister@telus.net

Press release from the Moorecroft Camp Society Board on the Moorecroft decision
February 27, 2010-02-27
It is with regret and sadness that the Moorecroft Camp Society Board accepts and will respect
Presbytery's clear decision to put the camp up for sale.
At the Comox-Nanaimo Presbytery meeting held at Knox United in Parksville February 27,
delegated representatives of the churches voted to give "permission in principle to the BC
Conference Property Development Committee (1) to sell Camp Moorecroft with a conservation
covenant in place and honouring the values in the Camp Future Project Sales Policy (2) and all things
being equal, give preference to a buyer who would allow United Church camping to continue. In
order for such a buyer to be able to make an acceptable bid, the bidding process would remain
open for at least six months, thus enabling the proposed buyer to make an “accredited” offer with
“a secured funding source already in place.”
The Moorecroft Society Board will focus on continuing to offer quality camping opportunities until
September 30 2010. We have a summer season ready which we are enthusiastic about! "Go
Camp Go" is our promotional theme. We urgently want to counter the public perception we are
already sold and closed and make the public aware we will be ready for campers as we have been
in the past.
We are offering an Enviroment Camp again and will have a Music and Arts Camp for the first time,
along with a Men and Boys weekend Camp. Our facilities can be booked for Saturday and/or
Sunday events as most summer camps will run from Monday to Friday. Read more about our
programs on the camp website: www.moorecroft.net or call the office at 250-468-7511
The Moorecroft Camp Society will be holding its 2009 Annual General meeting on Saturday March
6th at 2pm at the Camp. The operation plans for 2010 programs will be presented at that meeting.
After being operated as a privately owned girl's camp during the 1930's and 1940's by a Ms
Moore, the property was sold the United Church in 1955 with the understanding already then that
the environment would be protected and it would run as a Christian camp ministry. For several
decades, the camp operated only in the summer providing fun for thousands of children and youth
throughout the years. More recently, the camp extended its operation season further into spring
and fall, meeting the needs of school groups, retreats, and a variety of community groups.
Activities offered at Moorecroft Camp include: Swimming, Snorkeling, Beach combing, paddle
boating, rowing, kayaking, Archery, Field sports, Hiking, Orienteering, Environmental awareness
and survival training, Campfires and campfire singing and storytelling, Faith exploration and
reflection, Crafts, Music, Skits and Drama and more.
Released by Joe Skipsey Chair of the Moorecroft Camp Society Board

For further information contact: Joe Skipsey: Joe.Skipsey@telus.net or 250-468-9218

or The Moorecroft Camp Office: 250 468 7511; email Moorecroftoffice@shaw.ca

1 http://www.bc.united-church.ca/content/property-finance
See also item 8.11 in the Moorecroft Process Comittee report, pages 19 and 20.
2 "any property transaction undertaken as part of the Future of Camping Project must find a balance
between three values:
   1. Protect the natural environment
   2. Provide for reasonable public accessibility; and
   3. Realize a fair market value for the property"http://www.bc.united-church.ca/sites/default/files/CFPPropertySalesPolicyDiscussionDocument.pdf

The Ministers and other voting members of the Comox Nanaimo Presbytery of the United Church of Canada today voted by a narrow margin in favour of selling Moorecroft Camp. 

This final decision has been reached after several years of intense pressure by the BC Conference of the United Church led by Doug Goodwin, the Executive Secretary.  This marks another in a steady liquidation of congregation-owned assets which have been accumulated through generations of volunteer effort, donations and community support. 

The BC Conference of the United Church will be providing a press release regarding this sale in due course. 

Nanaimo News Bulletin
Upcoming vote to decide fate of Moorecroft

Text   By Toby Gorman - Nanaimo News Bulletin

Published: February 24, 2010 3:00 PM

Supporters interested in saving Moorecroft Camp are holding their breath as the camp’s fate will be determined this weekend with a vote by the Nanaimo-Comox Presbytery.

On Saturday (Feb. 27), United Church clergy and delegates will be faced with four options that will determine the outcome of the 34-hectare property located along the shoreline in Nanoose Bay.

The executive from the B.C. Conference of the United Church and Moorecroft users and supporters have debated over the sale of the property since 2004.

“This vote sort of came as a surprise to us,” said Art Skipsey, a member of the Moorecroft Camp Society and camp supporter since the church purchased it in 1955. “There was an information meeting scheduled for February and the vote was supposed to be in March, but they’ve moved that up on us.”

Skipsey said it is likely the vote will fall in line with the wishes of the B.C. Conference, which is pushing for the sale of the property.

“The people who support keeping the camp and the land don’t have a voice,” said Skipsey. “So this is the final decision. We may just have to bite the bullet.”

The primary decision of the vote is whether to allow the sale of Moorecroft Camp by the B.C. Conference to fund the church’s Camping Futures Project, which aims to regionalize its camps.

Terry Nishimura, a member of the Moorecroft Preservation Neighbourhood Committee as well as the Moorecroft Camp Society, said she is worried the United Church is getting away from its mandate to provide educational opportunities for camp users in an environmentally pristine location.

“Moorecroft has some very strong outreach programs and the camp has been kept in pristine condition by strong hearted volunteers on a very tight budget,” said Nishimura, who lives nearby.

“I’m concerned about the message closing this camp might send as far as what the values of the church are. Historically, the church has been a very strong supporter of providing these programs, while being committed to environmental stewardship.”

The four options facing the voters include: selling Camp Moorecroft; selling Camp Moorecroft with an ecological covenant in place; selling the camp with an ecological covenant to a buyer interested in keeping the camp operating; or not selling the camp at all.

The final option would result in Camp Moorecroft operating outside of the United Church’s regional camping model.

The land has been assessed at roughly $12 million in value, resulting in fears that if the camp is sold, it would be to a developer interested in earning profits rather than maintaining the environment.

The vote is scheduled to take place at Knox United Church in Parksville.

reporter2@nanaimobulletin.com

What do you think? Give us your comments by fax at 250-753-0788 or by e-mail: editor@nanaimobulletin.com. Be sure to spell out your first and last names.

Here is the site to the Video Clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43pevRESqcs&feature=player_embedded

The printed article follows:

NANOOSE BAY - The fate of a popular church-run summer camp on the mid-island will be decided this weekend. Over the past sixty years thousands of children have learned about the outdoors at Moorecroft Camp. But those days may never be repeated now that the United Church is considering selling the property.

Moorecroft's sheltered bay has been the heart of summer camp life since children first starting coming here back in the 1930's. A few decades later the sprawling property was sold to the United Church, and has been welcoming school groups and community organizations ever since.

Church leaders are deciding what to do with the camp this weekend at a meeting in Parksville. Several years ago the United Church decided to regionalize its camps, and use the money from the sale of properties like Moorecroft, which has been assessed at about 12-million dollars, to fund the camps it plans to keep.

from: A News
http://www.atv.ca/victoria/4994_72058.aspx

Critical Moorecroft vote on Saturday

Brad Bird, Oceanside Star
Published: Thursday, February 25, 2010

The fate of Moorecroft Camp, an 85-acre church-owned facility in Nanoose Bay, will be decided Saturday.

Some say the pristine waterfront property, which contains wetlands as well as intertidal pools, should be preserved for the type of outreach ministry it's done for 50 years.

Others think the valuable site should be sold to enable its owner, the United Church, to further its work at other camps and in other ways.

Saturday morning at Knox United Church in Parksville the members of the Comox-Nanaimo Presbytery will vote to decide which vision wins.

And make no mistake, it has been a contest to win the minds of those with the power to shape the Camp's future. For years the issue has simmered, occasionally flaring up at crucial moments.

No time has been more crucial than now.

With church membership in decline, it seems a shame to be thinking of selling the land, which offers a great way to connect with people spiritually, says Camp chaplain and caretaker Pete Vanderbeek, who lives on site.

"I'm hearing a lot of concern that if some of these proposals go through, that the environment will not be protected, that there will not be a good local place where United Church-affiliated children could come and learn about the environment and appreciate God."

But others are equally adamant it's time to follow a church decision to sell off some lands in order to upgrade smaller camps such as Pringle on Shawnigan Lake.

The BC Conference of the United Church is committed to selling Moorecroft but is determined to preserve the ecological integrity of the beautiful oceanfront property, Doug Goodwin, executive secretary of the Conference, said last year.

A covenant would be attached to any sale, he said.

Others say that despite any covenant, Moorecroft's riches would be vulnerable.

Goodwin said Moorecroft has been "very marginal camp for a long time. Not a lot of money has been put into it in recent years," and it would be best to sell.



© Oceanside Star 2010

Protect Moorecroft camp

By Jill Davies, Vancouver SunFebruary 25, 2010 

I am writing to voice my concerns about the proposed sale of Moorecroft, at Nanoose Bay. This beautiful wooded headland and summer camp is owned by the United Church of Canada, and next week the Comox/Nanaimo presbytery will meet to make recommendations about the property's future.

It is of immense ecological value, with ancient trees providing homes for eagles and the wetlands a haven for the threatened northern red-legged frog.

The presbytery has the option of giving preference to a buyer who would protect Moorecroft. This is an opportunity to make right decision and, in years to come, be able to say it protected the irreplaceable ecological resource.

Jill Davies

Nanoose Bay

© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun

From BClocalNews.com


Moorcroft: a time for decisions
 
Published: February 22, 2010 4:00 PM


Well this is it, the moment of truth when we learn whether or not the leaders of the United Church in this area walk their talk.

The vote to sell or save Moorecroft Camp in Nanoose Bay will be held at Knox United Church in Parksville on Saturday morning, Feb.27.

The provincial level of the UC, called BC Conference, is pushing strongly for the sale of this special property.  Only those who belong to the Comox/Nanaimo Presbytery will be voting. These include a substantial number who are known to be in favour of sale. Voters will need to be very clear about what they are choosing if they vote to sell.

Are you aware that the guiding principles described in the voting information package as providing protection for Moorecroft’s natural environment are powerless to protect it? Only a conservation covenant placed on the title before or at the time of sale and monitored annually can protect it.

In an October, 2008 letter BC Conference’s  Executive Secretary explained to a supporter of Moorecroft, “Our budgets are balanced already and, in fact, enjoy a modest surplus.” So the reason to sell can’t be financial need. And yet the package explains that only a portion of the proceeds of the sale would go to the UC’s provincial vision for camping, the Camp Futures Project. The rest is earmarked for other budgets.

Have you noticed the loophole language in the package and other communications on Moorecroft?  Promises of a covenant that include phrases such as, “as far as possible” and “all things being equal” are a guarantee of nothing. Holding Presbytery and Conference to support of “environmental clauses” does not hold the buyer to such support.

How does formulating guiding principles of environmental protection that have no hope of significantly protecting Moorecroft fit in with the UC’s stated goals?

Does the fact that the community has not once been advised or consulted by the UC about the proposed sale fit in with UC’s standards document which speaks of creating “a stronger sense of community” and an operating framework within the church that provides for transparency?

Finally, are you Presbytery voters prepared for the negative publicity that will devolve on the United Church because, after 50 years of stewardship, the environmental treasure that is Moorecroft Camp was lost on your watch?

Presbytery voters have an important opportunity to show that the United Church continues to live by its stated principles and is committed to being a good neighbor to the community and a good steward of the environment.

 Terry Nishimura

Nanoose Bay