$1-Billion Development Rises in Upper Okanagan

New Hilltop Resort Community Features Fred Couples Signature Golf Course

March 22, 2005, Vernon – The Rise (www.TheRise.ca), a master plan resort community offering spectacular views of Okanagan Lake, was officially launched today with the unveiling of the new name for the $1-billion development and the announcement that it will feature a Fred Couples Signature Golf Course. The Rise is being built by the Okanagan Hills Development Corporation (OHDC) and features a winery, vineyards, hotels, village centre, tennis centre, and several neighbourhoods consisting of home sites and villas intertwined around the 18-hole championship golf course. Perched on a hillside overlooking Okanagan Lake with south facing slopes, The Rise is a 735-acre resort community located 3.5 km west of the city centre of Vernon, British Columbia. 

With 1210 development units consisting of 660 resort residential homes, hotels and villas offering 550 resort commercial units, a commercial village centre offering shops and services, and several amenity centres being built over eight years, The Rise is a $1 billion development. Phase One of The Rise is underway as construction has started on road infrastructure, home sites, the vineyard and the golf course. Consisting of 100 view home sites and 45 villas, Phase One features some of the best values The Rise will ever offer. The Rise is being financed privately through Arres Capital Inc. of Calgary. First release of home-sites is expected in May 2005 and a reservation program will be launched on April 1, 2005. Interested parties can go to www.TheRise.ca to register to receive notification of reservation policy and additional release dates.  

Leona Snider, president and CEO of OHDC says, “It’s exciting that our vision of creating a world-class resort community that showcases the natural beauty of the Okanagan, is now a reality. We called it The Rise because it literally makes you feel like you are on the top of the world. The Rise is for people who want to enjoy the very best the Okanagan has to offer.”

Fred Couples, PGA Tour pro and native of Seattle, Washington, and award-wining golf course designer Gene Bates, from Couples/Bates Design, are working with OHDC vice president, construction, Ian Renton, on the championship golf course.  The Fred Couples Signature Golf Course will be situated on a ridge overlooking the north and south arms of Okanagan Lake. The course has been designed to integrate with the natural topography of the land and will offer dramatic lake views. Renton’s company, BMR Golf, whose B.C. credits include the award winning Greywolf at Panorama Mountain Resort, is constructing the course. 

The Rise has been carefully planned to maintain the natural beauty and integrity of the land. Its development plan establishes a land use and servicing framework for future development of this unique master plan resort community. It sets a high standard for development that conforms to development policies outlined in the City of Vernon’s Official Community Plan. The Rise has undertaken the most extensive and detailed environmental study in the Okanagan Valley, according to independent consultants, EBA Engineering, who conducted the study. Only one third of the land will be developed, with one third being preserved and one third dedicated to the golf course. 

The Rise (www.TheRise.ca)
Okanagan Hills Development Corporation

The Okanagan Hills Development Corporation (OHDC) is building The Rise master plan resort community.  Perched on a hillside overlooking Okanagan Lake, The Rise is 735-acre resort community located 3.5 km west of the city centre of Vernon, British Columbia. The Rise offers spectacular southwest views of Okanagan Lake and will feature a winery, vineyards, several neighbourhoods consisting of home sites and villas, hotels and village centre, and a Fred Couples Signature Golf Course.