A B.C. businessman who purchased financially troubled West Beach in the North Shuswap said he has a "solid business plan" to develop the property.

But Greg Darroch said he wants to meet with community members and government officials over the coming months before publicly unveiling plans.

"I want to put together a proposal that allays the concerns of the community and environment," he said Wednesday. "That's a really sensitive site."

A numbered company controlled by Darroch purchased the property from a mortgage firm this month for $17.9-million. The property, operated as Cottonwood Campground for decades, was purchased by Kamloops developer Mike Rink a few years ago.

B.C. Supreme Court awarded the property to Mission Creek Mortgage this year after more than $20 million in debts could not be paid.

Darroch said he is "fact finding" with a number of agencies about the potential for the land, which he believes will continue with an RV focus.

Rink's plan to sell 199-year leases with an associated storage shed was rejected by a B.C. Supreme Court justice. But several million dollars in infrastructure were put in place prior to the ruling.

"My focus is to stick with family camping and enjoyment of the area," Darroch said, adding that won't include a condominium project.

"There's RVs now. To change that will be tough. You need to keep it environmentally friendly."

Darroch said he wants to bring the property forward to Columbia Shuswap Regional District for a possible rezoning sometime in the fall.

Another local interest group, Adams River Salmon Society, is pushing for the province or federal government to intervene and purchase the parcel beside the river and its salmon run. Other residents, including Jim Cooperman, are trying to raise money privately to purchase the property.

Both say the parcel should be added to neighbouring Roderick Haig-Brown provincial park.

"I'd like to see all the different groups work toward that goal," said salmon society president Darlene McBain.