By Jennifer Smith Morning Star Staff Oct 12 2007
The fate of the proposed Aberdeen Road sports complex is being put in the hands of Coldstream voters. The district council voted 4-3 Tuesday in favour of re-considering the controversial issue and putting it to a referendum. The changing vote, since a Sept. 11 meeting when the project was shelved, came from Coun. Mary Malerby. After reviewing the number of petition signatures from Coldstream residents (approximately 700) and letters in support, Malerby concluded that a majority support it. “I have no agenda, I am just here to represent the people.” Therefore residents will be asked if they support an application for non-farm use to the Agricultural Land Commission on the 188-acre site at 9325 Aberdeen Road, specifically for sports facilities. A date for the referendum has yet to be determined by Wendy Kay, chief administrative officer, who says it will more than likely happen early next year.
When the referendum does occur and if it is passed, the owner of the ranch lands is still prepared to sell the property to the Greater Vernon Services Commission. Bill Tarr, spokesperson for the Greater Vernon Outdoor Sports User Group, is pleased with council’s decision to bring the project back to life in a democratic process. “They’re doing their due diligence.” Although a bit surprised by the change of heart, Coldstream Ratepayers Association president Andy Danyliu agrees that this is the more democratic choice. He suggests though that before any taxpayer money is wasted that Coldstream and Greater Vernon Services approach the ALC. “Before we put ourselves in any deeper cost or deepen the division in the community anymore check if these guys will accept it.”
Mayor Gary Corner also suggested forwarding the application to the ALC before a referendum. That idea was not well received by some members of council. “I think that’s ridiculous, the choice is then taken away from the citizens,” said Malerby. Concerns were also raised about what ALC approval would mean if the people did not support the project. “The ALC may change the land use but then some other developer can come along and do with it as he pleases,” said Coun. Bill Firman, who opposed the referendum along with councilllors Jim Garlick and Doug Dirk. Those in favour of the proposed project are confident it won’t even come to that. “I truly believe that the Coldstream residents want this to happen,” said Jason Gilbert, Funtastic executive director, who is also a member of the sports group.
Gilbert and Tarr remind residents that the project is just a proposal and certain aspects have been assumed or mis-interpreted. For example, Gilbert says the intent is for Funtastic to remain at the DND grounds for as long as possible. Other aspects of the plan, such as a banquet facility and 1,000-car parking lot, are also not written in stone. “At the end of the day we all want to build something that the community wants,” said Gilbert. Danyliu says he is committed to work with these groups and planners to make that happen. “There are creative solutions. We can look at something that gives the best of both worlds.” He only hopes that any public information Coldstream puts out prior to the referendum is fair, showing both the pros and cons of such a project. No cost estimates are being released on the project, as not to jeopardize the referendum question. The question is not about the cost, but whether Coldstream residents want the project or not. But Danyliu says that is unfair to the voters. “That’s like asking people ‘would you like a Cadillac?’ Because if you did tell people the price they’d say no.”
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