HOME SITES IN MERRITT PLATEAU
Fully-serviced home sites overlooking picturesque Nicola Valley in British Columbia - only a three hour drive from Vancouver. Choose the location of your next home and start building this summer!
All home sites will be sold to the highest bidders, regardless of price on Saturday, May 30, 2009.
Home Sites & Maps
Legal description: DL 4691, Section 23, Township 91, KDYD, Plan KAP86634
| Address (Merritt, BC) Approx size |
Home Site PID |
Previous List Price |
Documents |
| 2840 Peregrine Way 5,963 sq ft | 560 sq m |
Lot 3 - See Photos 027-520-218 |
$106,000 | Title Cert BC Assessment |
| 2810 Peregrine Way 6,372 sq ft | 611 sq m |
Lot 6 - See Photos 027-520-242 |
$107,750 | Title Cert BC Assessment |
| 4217 Falcon Crest Drive 6,652 sq ft | 620 sq m |
Lot 9 - See Photos 027-520-277 |
$108,750 | Title Cert BC Assessment |
| 4207 Falcon Crest Drive 6,771 sq ft | 635 sq m |
Lot 10 - See Photos 027-520-285 |
$97,750 | Title Cert BC Assessment |
| 2743 Peregrine Way 6,781 sq ft | 630 sq m |
Lot 25 - See Photos 027-520-391 |
$112,500 | Title Cert BC Assessment |
| 2825 Peregrine Way 0.314 acres | 881 sq m |
Lot 34 - See Photos 027-520-480 |
$115,000 | Title Cert BC Assessment |
| 2839 Peregrine Way 0.314 acres | 881 sq m |
Lot 35 - See Photos 027-498-498 |
$115,000 | Title Cert BC Assessment |
Documents
Photos
About the Area
The charming Nicola Valley is steeped in history; mining and railways, western lifestyle and First Nations culture. Agritourism is popular in the Nicola Valley, incorporating both agriculture and the ranching lifestyle that makes the Nicola Valley unique.
Merritt is the service centre for the ranch country of the Nicola Valley and provides an excellent base for exploring the many outdoor recreational opportunities in the area. The area is home to open grassy fields and rich marshland, as well as Canada’s largest working cattle ranch, the Douglas Lake Ranch. Established in 1884, this ranch rests on over half of a million acres and is home to 12,000 heads of cattle.
The Nicola Valley is located in the heart of the Coquihalla, with the economic centre of the valley in Merritt. The main access to the Nicola Valley is via the Coquihalla Highway from Hope and Kamloops. The Coquihalla Highway climbs through the Great Bear Snow Shed, crests the summit of Coquihalla Pass (elevation 4,068 feet/1,240 m), then crosses the top of the Thompson Plateau, with side roads leading off into rolling countryside speckled with camping grounds and fishing lakes. Other access routes include Highway 8 from Spences Bridge; Highway 97C from Ashcroft Logan Lake and Kelowna; and Highway 5A from Princeton. Driving time is 3 hours from Vancouver, 90 minutes from Kelowna and less than an hour from Kamloops.
Highway 5 follows the Coquihalla River to Merritt and is particularly scenic in the early fall, when rolling fields and forest foliage take on a golden glow. The surrounding Merritt Forest District supports stands of engelmann spruce, lodgepole pine and subalpine fir at higher elevations; douglas fir and ponderosa pine are found on the lower benchlands. Extensive grasslands also occur at low-elevation areas, particularly toward Merritt. Moose, mule deer, bears and grouse are the main wildlife species here, while small numbers of elk and mountain goats find refuge in the south.
Because the range of wildlife and vegetation in the valley varies so dramatically with terrain and elevation, the entire Nicola Valley is filled with amazing natural attractions. Wind erosion has carved unique formations in the walls of Windy Canyon near Merritt. Glacial shore lines of 10,000-year-old glacial lakes are visible in the grasslands, particularly along Highway 5A north of Merritt. Ancient volcanic lava cliffs can be viewed along the hiking trail at Monck Provincial Park, and amazing Hoodoos can be found along Highway 8, west of Merritt towards Spences Bridge.
Quilchena is located on the east shore of Nicola Lake, east of Merritt. A stop at the old hotel provides visitors with a whiff of life as it once was in the Nicola Valley. It attracts an assortment of people, from moneyed urbanites to cattle barons. Guests share bathrooms and dine together; they ride horses, golf on the adjacent course, or search the nearby fossil beds.
This grand hotel was built by rancher Joseph Guichon in the hope that the Spences Bridge-Princeton CPR rail line would be built along Quilchena Creek. This did not happen, but the hotel opened anyway, hosting polo matches, fishing derbies, dinners and dances, until forced to close during Prohibition. In 1958, Guichon's grandson re-opened the hotel; it is still family-owned and operated to this day. Visitors are welcomed to savor international cuisine prepared by European chefs in the air-conditioned Victorian Dining Room of the Quilchena Hotel.
Merritt is located at the hub of the Coquihalla Highway system, in easy reach of Vancouver, Kamloops and the Okanagan. Merritt is the service centre for the ranch country of the Nicola Valley, and provides an excellent base for exploring the many outdoor recreational opportunities in the area.
The combination of Merritt's strategic location, its natural advantages and its quality of life ensures that the community will continue to flourish into the future. While Merritt retains its strong ties to the resource economy, its future is balanced with growth in knowledge and lifestyle based industries, small business and recreation and tourism.
The original stock farm at Nicola Ranch still exists today as a working ranch and tourist attraction, and heritage buildings such as the courthouse have been restored to their original grandeur. Murray Church, one of the most photographed structures in British Columbia, was the first church in the Nicola Valley, built of lumber from nearby Mill Creek in 1876. Named in honour of its founder, Reverend George Murray, the church can be viewed along Highway 5A north of Merritt, at Nicola Ranch.
Kamloops, the third largest city in the interior of BC with a population of 82,000, offers visitors all the amenities of a big city – first-class accommodations and dining, a lively arts scene, modern shops, a full range of businesses, a modern hospital and wonderful parks and recreation facilities. Kamloops is a vital transportation hub easily reached from every part of the province. BC's four major highways – the Trans Canada, Yellowhead, Coquihalla and Highway 97 – meet in Kamloops. Full-service air and rail connections in Kamloops cater to travelers from every corner of the globe, making the city truly international.
Brookmere. The community of Brookmere served as a regular stop along the Kettle Valley Railway until 1966, and is still home to the last standing Kettle Valley Railway caboose and water tank (Brookmere Water Tank). Brookmere is located south of Merritt on Brookmere Road, east of Highway 5.
Information Centres
Merritt Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 1649, Merritt, BC V1K 1B8
Phone: 250.378.5634 | Fax: 250.378.6561
Email: info@merritt-chamber.bc.ca
Web: www.merrittchamber.com
Kamloops Visitor Info Centre
1290 East Trans Canada Highway, Kamloops, BC V2C 6R3
Phone: 250.374.3377 | Fax: 250.828.9500
Toll free: 1.800.662.1994
Email: tourism@kamloopschamber.bc.ca
Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association
2280-D Leckie Road, Kelowna, BC V1X 6G6
Phone: 250.860.5999 | Fax: 250.860.9993
Email: info@thompsonokanagan.com
Web: www.thompsonokanagan.com
Tourism Sun Peaks
50-3150 Creekside Way, Sun Peaks, BC V0E 1Z1
Phone: 1.800.807.3257 | Fax: 250.578.7843
Email: info@sunpeaksresort.com
Web: www.sunpeaksresort.com
Thompson Nicola Regional District
#300 - 465 Victoria Street, Kamloops, BC V2C 2A9
Phone: 250.377.8673 | Fax: 250.372.5048
Toll free in BC: 1.877.377.8673
Email: admin@tnrd.bc.ca
Web: www.tnrd.bc.ca
Recreation
Fishing
The Nicola Valley is a fisherman's paradise, offering excellent sport fishing in the nearby lakes, rivers and streams. Hundreds of cool, clear lakes in the valleys are home to the Kamloops trout, one of the wildest strains of trout in the world. The size and abundance of Kamloops trout have made the lakes a mecca for anglers. The variety of fish waiting to be caught includes coho, chinook, sockeye, ling cod, dolly varden, rainbow trout, brook char and white fish. There are tales from the early years of cowboys catching 300 fish in a day on the most basic tackle made from a willow stick with a piece of string tied to the end and a single fly.
"A lake a day as long as you stay" is no idle boast for the Nicola Valley. Close to 50 percent of the province's total freshwater sport fishing occurs in the Thompson-Nicola region.
Relative to its size, this region is unsurpassed in British Columbia for its sports fishing. The Thompson and Nicola Rivers are historic salmon-spawning tributaries of the Fraser River, and the smaller tributary streams are where rainbow trout, dolly varden and kokanee lay their eggs. The lakes, however, are the main attraction for anglers.
Chapperon, Douglas, and Nicola Lakes have long been noted for their ample fish stocks. Nicola Lake, renowned for its depth, is said to harbour 26 varieties of fish, some weighing up to 20 pounds (9 kg). Nicola Lake is the easiest to reach and is located only 4 miles (7 km) east of Merritt on Hwy 5A. Use the boat launch at Monck Provincial Park for access to the big lake. Douglas Lake and Chapperon Lake are located about 12 miles (20 km) and 18.5 miles (30 km), respectively, east of Hwy 5A on the Douglas Lake Road. Angling is the most popular form of sport fishing in the Nicola area lakes, but ice fishing, spear fishing and set-lines methods are also used.
Boating
Seasonal strong winds make Nicola Lake a popular place for sailing. Boat launches are located at Monck Provincial Park and on the southeast shore of Nicola Lake, halfway between Quilchena and Nicola Ranch. Nicola Lake is home to the Kamloops Sailing Association, which operates the Quilchena Sailing Centre on the lake, a facility with moorage, docking, and boat-storage facilities. They also offer a "Learn to Sail" program for children at Nicola Lake. For more information visit www.kamloopssailing.com.
Windsurfing
Expect a thrill on the 14 miles (22 km) of Nicola Lake which boasts winds second only to the Columbia River Gorge. Just north of the Douglas Lake Road turnoff is Kokanee Beach - a good spot for beginners as prevailing winds usually blow towards the shore. For experienced windsurfers, strong winds blow out into the centre of Nicola Lake at Snake Point, south of the Quilchena Sailing Centre on Highway 5A.
Canoeing and Kayaking
These are extremely popular outdoor activities in the Nicola Valley. The Merritt District Forestry Recreation Map (available locally or at Forest District offices) marks pleasurable paddling locations: Andys Lake, Billy Lake, Chain Lake West, Dewdney Lake, Lac le Jeune, Leroy Lake, Link Lake, Old Headley Road East, Old Headley Road West, Osprey Lake and Pimainus Lake.
Mountain Biking
The many cross-country ski trails in the Kane Valley cover varied terrain and double as mountain bike trails in summer. A branch line of the Kettle Valley Railway leads between Hope and Merritt, passing the Coquihalla Tunnels and Brookmere, a distance of about 87 miles (140 km). Due to washouts and the construction of the Coquihalla Highway, not all of the line is suitable for biking. One of the best places to begin is Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Recreation Area. Much of the railbed north to Brookmere is intact. For a detailed description of this route, consult Cycling the Kettle Valley Railway by Dan and Sandra Langford. Guided tours and bike rentals can be arranged in Lower Nicola.
Horseback Riding
The open grassland around Merritt is a delight for those who like to trail ride. This is ranching country, home to the Douglas Lake Ranch, one of British Columbia's oldest and largest working ranches. It lies east off Hwy 5A from the crossroads settlement of Quilchena. For information on horse-trail riding, contact the Douglas Lake Ranch, the Grant Ranches, or Winding River Ranch, all in the Merritt region.
Camping
In addition to the campsites at Monck Provincial Park, the BC Forest Service maintains many small, rustic campsites in the region. Situated near lakes and rivers, they blend in naturally with the surroundings. Although these sites do not offer sophisticated amenities such as power hookups and piped water, they include basic sanitary facilities, fire rings, picnic tables and, where appropriate, boat-launch ramps. Access is mostly via narrow unpaved roads, not always suitable for large RVs. Three popular sites with two-wheel-drive access via gravel road are those at Harmon Lake West (16 vehicle/tent sites), Harmon Lake East (18 sites) and Kane Lake (5 sites), all reachable from either Hwy 5 or 5A. To find them, drive about 12 miles (20 km) south of Merritt on Hwy 5A, then about 5 miles (8 km) west on the Kane Valley Forest Road.
Hiking
The Merritt Forest District has two interpretive trails. The Harmon Lake Trail (easy; about 2 miles/3 km), located in the Kane Valley, demonstrates forest-management practices. To find the trail, drive about 12 miles (20 km) south of Merritt on Hwy 5A, then about 5 miles (8 km) west on the Kane Valley Forest Road. The Godey Creek Trail (easy; 1.5 miles/2.5 km return), adjacent to the Merritt Visitor Info Centre, was built in 1990 by a fire-suppression crew. Plaques explaining various aspects of forestry are located along the trail.
Monck Provincial Park, with 71 vehicle/tent campsites, is located on the northwest side of Nicola Lake, 13.6 miles (22 km) north of Merritt. This is a good park for the entire family, open May through October. Hiking trails, including an interpretive walk to some lava beds, provide spectacular views of the valley and surrounding countryside. The park features an amphitheatre, boat launch, horseshoe pitches and three archaeological sites. This area of the Nicola Valley was a winter encampment for Natives for centuries before European settlers arrived. Pithouse depressions remain near the park's beach as evidence of their habitation. The vegetation of this part of the Thompson Plateau is chiefly ponderosa pine, douglas fir, and black cottonwood. Tule and cattail, both used in Native mat making, grow in dense patches around the shores of Nicola Lake.
Kentucky-Alleyne Provincial Park has 63 vehicle/tent campsites, located 24 miles (38 km) south of Merritt off Highway 5A via Look Lake Road. Only basic facilities are provided: pit toilets, picnic tables, fire pits, firewood and water.
For the golf enthusiasts
- Nicola Valley Golf Course is on Highway 5 about 75 km south of Kamloops. This 9 hole course is part of a working ranch. The stately 14 room Quilchena Hotel, which has been in existence since 1908, sits next door to the golf course. Par here is 35 for men, 37 for women. Located at Hwy 5A N, Quilchena | Phone: 250.378.2923.
- Meadow Creek Golf Club is a new, 9 hole, par 36 course situated 45 km southwest of Kamloops. The terrain is hilly, providing a challenging round to golfers of all skill levels.
- Merritt Golf & Country Club is a well manicured 9 hole course with plenty of challenges. The Nicola River winds through the course and comes into play six times on 9 holes. Follow Highway 8 West (Nicola Ave) to the edge of town. www.merrittgolf.com | Phone: 250.378.9414
Kamloops, less than an hour’s drive away, is a sports mecca with 84 baseball diamonds, 73 soccer fields, 5 ice arenas, 40 gymnasiums, 53 tennis courts, and ten golf courses.
Golf Courses around Kamloops
- Aberdeen Hills Golf Club is a 9 hole golf course near Kamloops. It is par 35 for men and 36 for women. It's a semi-private course regularly open to visitors.
- The Dunes at Kamloops. Measuring 7,120 yards and offering four different sets of tees. Toll free 1.888.881.GOLF or 250.579.3300
- Eagle Point Golf and Country Club. Par 72. Site of the 1992 Canadian Seniors championships. Toll free 1.888.863.2453 or 205.573.2453
- Kamloops Golf & Country Club is a flat and friendly 18 hole course. Par for men is 72, for women, 75. Though semi-private, this course is open to the public every day. Phone: 250.376.3231
- Arthur Island Golf Center. Situated on scenic McArthur Island, it is a beautiful park-like setting for this executive 9 hole course. Phone: 250.554.3211.
- Mt. Paul Golf Course & Restaurant. This 32 par golf course is located just minutes from the city centre on the Kamloops Indian Reserve. Phone: 250.374.4653.
- Pineridge Golf Course. Designed to be: "The best short course ever built." Pineridge boasts 18 challenging holes of golf. Phone: 250.573.4333.
- Rivershore Estates and Golf Links. Par 72. Host of the 1999 Canadian Men's Amateur Championship. This course is located along the beautiful South Thompson River. Toll free 1.866.886.4653 or 250.573.4622.
- Sun Peaks Resort Golf Course. This challenging Graham Cooke course sits amid pine forests and rushing mountain streams. Toll free 1.800.807.3257 or 250.578.5431.
- Sun Rivers Golf Course. Par 72. Carved out of the sunny benchlands at the base of Mounts Peter and Paul, Sun Rivers Championship Golf Course is one of the few "true" desert courses in Canada. Toll free 1.866.571.7888 or 250.571.7888
Winter Sports
There's great cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and ice fishing to be had in the surround area. Hay rides and sleigh rides are also available for the romantic at heart, and curling and ice skating add pure enjoyment for the whole family.
Kane Valley Ski Hills are located in Kane Valley, west of highway 5A/97C and 18 km south of Merritt. The trails are generally protected from the winter winds by the Coast Mountains, and offer very pleasant skiing, even during colder weather. The terrain is variable and offers Nordic trails for beginners to advanced skiers. The more than 25 miles (40 km) of trails, some of them groomed, follow old roads and skid trails through open timber and across natural grassy slopes. They are managed cooperatively by the BC Forest Service and the Nicola Valley Nordic Ski Club of Merritt, phone 250.378.6328. A map of the trail system is available from the Merritt Forest District office or at many local hotels.
Sun Peaks Resort on Tod Mountain is 53 km north of Kamloops. It has 47 runs and Nordic trails. Harper Mountain, near Kamloops, has 13 runs and offers Nordic trails and night skiing.
Snowmobiling
Blue skies, lots of sunshine, powder snow and spectacular landscapes make this region the natural place to enjoy unparalleled snowmobiling opportunities. Thynne Mountain in the Brookmere area, Swakum Mountain and Henning Mountain all offer great snowmobile trails.
The Merritt Mountain Music Festival is an annual event in July, which attracts thousands of visitors every summer for a weekend of country music, and the Fall Fair and Rodeo, held every Labour Day weekend.
The Pacific Forerst Rally, taking place every year in October, features top rally racers from around North America competing in one of Canada’s premier motorsport events. Racing takes place on closed roads both in the City of Merritt and in the surrounding mountains, giving residents and fans an opportunity to watch and cheer for their local favourites.
A 1% real estate administration fee will be added to the final winning bid price of each property and included on the purchase agreement.
Ritchie Bros. Real Estate Services Ltd., BC License #X028512
The information above has been obtained from sources believed reliable. While we do not doubt its accuracy we have not verified it and make no guarantee, warranty or representation as to its accuracy or completeness. All measurements are approximate and must be verified by the buyer prior to the auction. This advertisement is provided for information purposes only, and does not constitute a solicitation of expressions of interest or otherwise in any jurisdiction where Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers is not authorized to conduct business.
