Hard to pick a story that stands above all others and affects many people.

Jail coming, SOSS opening its doors and the death of a young boy in a mobile home all possibilities.

We have picked the plight of owners of an Oliver apartment building.

An engineer’s report on the building known as Park Place triggered many an anxious moment and eventually all residents of the three storey building moved out – and some may never return.

Nothing heard back yet from the insurance company as to whether the building will be fixed and owners allowed back in.

The community rallied and raised $13,000 to help the owners.

earlier: Published June 18th

43 unit owners told to vacate Condo apartment building as early as August 15 because of structural damage and the need to fix building in safety.

The original rendering on display at office of Park Place – 24 years ago.

Linda Gergely (Evacuation Co-ordinator) and Stuart Syme (Strata Secretary) – running the operation with impending deadlines. Gergely says many people and a number of organizations have contacted her to help. She says she is coordinating a needs assessment – where all residents determine what they can do and what they need help with.

The Mayor’s office has taken a lead in co-ordinating in the background.The RDOS emergency team has been contacted. The Red Cross out of Kelowna wants to help and a meeting is scheduled for Wednesday to gather information and plan a community strategy.

Syme, the main media contact says residents are busy packing and looking for accommodation. Syme says his main concern is quelling rumour and suggestions about what may have happened. He says he has an engineering report – other voices are not helping with ideas not based on a professional assessment of the situation.

Insurance: many owners have approached their insuring companies but everyone seems to be on wait-mode – hoping for a quick answer from the main insurance carrier about covering the cost of repairs.