Horse racing loses a home

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: January 30, 2009 4:00 PM

Horse racing could get the boot from its home of 116 years, and that has enthusiasts fuming. The North Okanagan Regional District has told the Okanagan Equestrian Society (formerly the Vernon Agricultural Society) it can no longer use Kin Race Track as of Oct. 31, 2010 and all equipment must be gone by Dec. 31, 2010. “There are a few raised tempers,” said Ed Woolley, society president, of his members. The society sold its portion of the property to NORD a few years ago (the City of Vernon is also an owner), and both sides are currently locked in a legal dispute over use of the site. “If we can’t come to an agreement, a decision will be made by a judge,” said Woolley, who questions why an eviction notice is being handed out now. “Taking these actions makes one question whether they are negotiating in good faith.”As part of the discussions, there has been a suggestion that a new location be found for horse racing. “It’s not our first choice but it’s something we’ll look at. The city has said it won’t financially support any move,” said Woolley. Woolley insists there is a need for his group to have continued use of the track, including for Vernon Racing Days, other equestrian sports and training. “There are still a fair number of people involved in the equine business,” he said.“We have usage every day during the spring, summer and fall. It’s also part of the community’s history.”The schedule for the 2009 racing season should be released within a month.

NORD decided to issue the eviction notice at about the same time of November’s civic elections, and Woolley wonders if the regional district’s position has softened. “One or two of the people in opposition to us are no longer there. I’m not sure if the people who replaced them are in favour of us,” he said. But Wayne Lippert, Vernon mayor and Greater Vernon Advisory Committee chairman, believes the eviction notice is firm and insists that it’s part of meditation. “We are looking to move this process along,” he said. “There’s been discussion about the use of that property and whether the race track should remain there for a number of years.” Lippert says NORD is taking the society’s interests into account through a possible relocation, and he suggests the Vernon group could merge with another operation in B.C. to create efficiencies. “Horse racing is having difficulties across the province.” If racing does end at Kin Race Track, NORD will launch a planning process for alternate uses. “There have been numerous suggestions from a second sheet of ice at Wesbild Centre or expansion of sports fields,” said Lippert. “We have to look at it and see how best to serve the residents of Greater Vernon. We have to look at the best use of the land.”