Planning for SOEC continues after vote

By Wolf Depner News Staff Reporter Sep 20 2006 http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/
Mayor Jake Kimberley promised the city would deal with concerns raised by the referendum on the South Okanagan Event Centre as the project moves forward.Council Monday passed two borrowing bylaws after 80 per cent of voters approved them in a binding referendum Saturday. A majority of voters — just under 55 per cent — also agreed with city plans to hire a private management company to operate the centre and two other public facilities for up to 20 years, a move opposed by the Coalition for an Affordable Public Event Centre. Kimberley called public support for the borrowing bylaws a “vote of confidence” which the city was grateful to receive. But he conceded that the public response to the second, non-binding question on the referendum ballot raised concerns. “Certainly, those were reflected in the vote of the second ballot,” he said. Coun. Garry Litke agreed. “We need to make every effort to address those concerns,” he said. The referendum paves the way for an agreement between the city and a consortium headed by Giffels Partnership Solutions to help design, build and operate the facility. City administrator Leo den Boer said two separate city teams are working towards agreements with Giffels and Global Spectrum — the company most likely to run the new facility, as well as the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre — that could be signed soon after the 30-day appeal now available to opponents of the facility. Peter Hall, Giffels’ senior vice president and managing director, said the company hopes to start onsite work in the latter half of October, obtain permits in November and start excavation and construction before the end of the year. “We are working in close collaboration with the city representatives and will seek their approval throughout the process,” he said. Negotiations between the city and Global Spectrum are “advanced,” said Frank Russo, senior vice president, business development and client relations. “We expect, given last week’s favorable vote, to be under contract within thirty days,” said Russo, who described his company as “delighted” by the referendum Saturday which drew about 34 per cent of eligible voters. Coalition co-spokesperson James Ludvigson believes the apparent voter apathy was generated by the “slick Madison-Avenue hype the province of B.C. hoisted upon Penticton” with $40 million in non-guaranteed lottery funding. “All of council, and many Penticton residents, swallowed it hook, line and sinker,” he said. Coun. Joanne Grimaldi said it is unfortunate that two-thirds of potential voters stayed home, but thanked those who came out for the referendum. But Grimaldi also said the city cannot afford to sit back. “We need to get moving on this project ... which is a turning point in Penticton’s future,” she said.