The Capital Regional District has approved the plan for how it will run the former Royal Oak Golf Course lands on an interim basis.
The CRD board on Sept. 11 adopted the interim management guidelines for the property, which will guide the operation of the acquired land as several local First Nations are consulted to understand their interest in the site.
The CRD bought the 27-acre property that's adjacent to Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park in 2023.
The property will remain open to the public and the former golf cart pathways will be maintained as hiking trails for walking, running and leash-optional dog walking, the CRD said this month.
A report to the board also said the interim plan will support ecological restoration and conservation initiatives at the property, and it will seek to better understand the site's natural values. The CRD said observations confirmed the land hosts the threatened Pacific Coast population of the western painted turtle.
The CRD said there will be a full public engagement before the land would be included in a park management plan. That engagement would aim to get feedback from all stakeholders on the long-term land uses of the site, the CRD said in a news release.
The regional government emphasized no formal decisions have been made about the future use of the property. It also noted allowing recreational opportunities such as cycling and equestrian uses at the site in the long term would need to occur through the development of a park management plan.
The property can be accessed through Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park via the Filter Beds or Beaver Lake parking lots.
