Council takes on complex questions

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star - January 06, 2008

City of Vernon officials were on the defensive over their proposed civic complex Thursday. About 130 people attended a town hall meeting to ask questions about the Jan. 26 referendum to borrow up to $30 million for a complex that would include a library, offices for the RCMP and city staff and possibly an art gallery. “This council is taking heat but we’re trying to do the right thing. We have a vision,” said Coun. Juliette Cunningham. Not everyone was pleased with the format of the meeting. “This is a sales pitch. This isn’t a public input session,” said resident Steve DeBella.

That view, though, was challenged by Cunningham. “It’s not a sell-job. You are asking questions and we are trying to provide answers,” she said. Mayor Wayne Lippert insisted there is a need for the complex because both city hall and the RCMP detachment don’t have enough room for offices and the current library space isn’t big enough for a growing community.“A no vote means no building. The city will have to look at options for housing city staff and the RCMP. The art gallery would stay in the parkade and the library would be cut loose,” he said.

Some residents accused the city of not being more open with the process.“Nobody from the public was asked to take part in the design,” said Julia Lissau.But Lippert stated that the design process involved stakeholder groups such as the art gallery and RCMP. Demands were also made to include residential housing in the project. “Take the maximum value of the land,” said resident Steve Campbell. Pat Heglund pointed out that taxpayers are already paying for debt for the sewer treatment plant, the Multiplex and the Performing Arts Centre. “This (civic complex) is a project that will probably have to go ahead but it doesn’t have to be now,” he said.

Pat Lett, a local accountant, believes the $32 million price tag for the project should actually be $39 million because it doesn’t include the cost of the land or the current library.“We are making a gift of the land and the existing building. Are we going to get that money back?” he said. However, chief administrative officer Leon Gous denies the city is subsidizing the library part of the project.“We would own a share of the (library) strata for our share of capital. We would have equity for it,” he said.

Coun. Barry Beardsell, who refused to sit with the rest of council, continued to oppose the initiative.“The financial details are absolutely atrocious. So much of it is fabrication and bad representation,” he said. While many speakers opposed the complex, it had its supporters.“We need our downtown really electrified,” said resident Audrey Pope.“A lot of what I hear is what we heard 20 years ago — ‘We need it but now is not the time.’ We need it so when is the time?” added Mike Topf. The Vernon Taxpayers Association will hold a meeting on the civic complex issue Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Schubert Centre.