Reconsider Coldstream Hotel site: councillor

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star - February 08, 2008

A veteran Vernon politician is convinced plans for a cultural complex should be dusted off. In light of the failed referendum for a new civic building, Coun. Pat Cochrane says the previous plans for a cultural complex on the Coldstream Hotel site should be resurrected. “I’d like to take a fresh look at it,” he said.“It’s an ideal location and a huge site that we can put a lot on to.”The former council acquired the Coldstream Hotel block for a complex that would include an art gallery, museum and library. However, current council deemed that proposal to be too costly and not a good use of the land.Instead, it put forth a plan for a civic complex between city hall and the museum. It would have included a library, art gallery and offices for city workers and the RCMP.Last month, voters defeated a bid to borrow up to $30 million for construction of the complex.

Cochrane says the space needs of the various agencies must still be addressed and he believes the answer may lie with the design developed by the former cultural complex committee. “If we do it right, there probably would be a lot of support for it.” Beyond the cultural component, Cochrane suggests the Coldstream Hotel property could include commercial and residential uses through a private/public partnership.But he doesn’t want to see the matter put before residents any time soon. Because of the costs involved and the need to work on the design further, he says the earliest a referendum should be held is the 2011 municipal election.“There’s not the support for anything immediately,” he said. That timeline may not work for Okanagan Regional Library which wants a larger branch, and Cochrane says ORL may have to go it alone instead of being part of a cultural complex.“The existing library site could work for them,” he said of an expansion and possibly a satellite branch in Vernon.