Coldstream Mayor Gary Corner is right to question the holdup on the Sovereign property. The Greater Vernon Services Commission purchased the 5.3-acre site in 2003 and yet absolutely nothing has happened with it. Instead of being ready for the public this summer,
it will be another season 
before services are in place. Certainly the current budget overruns are understandable because of the blazing-hot construction sector, but one has to wonder why it has taken this long to actually get things moving there. Yes some planning had to take place, as did consultation with adjacent residents and budgeting. But three years later, all that’s apparently been accomplished is a fence and a parking lot to be constructed within the next few weeks. The delays at the Sovereign property come at the same time that Greater Vernon’s population is growing and demands for lake access and green space are at a premium. Here is a case where a beautiful piece of property, with considerable lakeshore is in the public’s hands, but it’s been left in limbo. GVSC 
staff say the public can use the property now, but does anyone know that? Has there been any publicity to that fact? Why would you encourage anyone to visit the site when there are no washrooms or parking? If it wasn’t for Corner’s insistence Thursday, the process for permanent washrooms would have been stalled until next year. If reserve funds are accessed, hopefully they will be actually available for next summer. In the end, GVSC took a bold step when it purchased the Sovereign property, but its actions since then are highly questionable. The public deserves better for its investment.
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