Plan could put Osoyoos back in the saddle again

Joyce Langerak - Penticton Western News Published: February 12, 2009

Horses could soon become a familiar sight again at Osoyoos Desert Park if all goes well for a newly formed group. The Southern Interior Recreational Equestrian Corporation wants to supply multiple recreational activities along with equestrian training at Desert Park. “We’re going to have events such as a bluegrass festival, probably an antique car show, a fall horse race called the Wine Cup, with wineries sponsoring particular races and prizes. Probably in the winter we’ll have archery competitions once we get our building up,” said corporation interim president Eike Scheffler, who hopes to get the public involved in the activity planning and shareholding. The group has plans to build an arena multiplex this fall. “We’re eventually going to sell about 350 or 400 shares throughout the South Okanagan at $1,000 a share. We’re planning to lease the facility from the town. We’re going to try and lease it on a short-term basis until they get the (request for proposals) out. Then, hopefully, we’ll be successful. And then we will work on getting the shareholders up and building a multiplex,” said Scheffler.

“We’ve got to fix up the existing facility and track. The building itself will be $500,000 or $600,000 depending on how much volunteer work we do ourselves.” Plans call for an Olympic-sized equestrian arena, possibly with an indoor theatre, a farmers’ market, 4H shows, field trial dog shows and all kinds of agriculturally connected events. It would be a recreation centre for the entire South Okanagan, he said. “If somebody wants to run races, that’s fully under this umbrella. But we’re not going to promote only races. Let’s have something for the kids, for the youth, the agricultural community. “We want the old-style races if there is enough interest and support,” said Scheffler. “It all depends on the community.”

The group also hopes to provide a 50-space RV park so people can stay near the golf course and the horse training facility. The 49-acre parcel is owned by the province and leased to the Town of Oliver for equestrian recreational purposes, he said. “We’re waiting for the final lease approval from the town,” said Scheffler. “We’ve got enough energy to do it. It’s going to be run by volunteers and the board of directors — people who put money in. We’ve had fabulous response.” “I think it’s a step in the right direction for sure,” said Gerald Davis, director of recreation and leisure services for Osoyoos. “I’m sure they’ve got some really good people involved with what they’re trying to accomplish. Since I’ve been here there’s been talk of bringing stuff forward and whatnot and it’s always been one-sided with all horses or all just event type of things. What they’re trying to do, it’s just a number of things with a little bit of everything. So, I hope it comes to fruition.”

Gambling and betting on horse races is not the focus of the group. “At this point in time, we don’t care about it either,” said Davis. “The biggest thing is, we’ve got a facility there that’s going to get some attention. It sounds really good. The past history of trying to get any kind of gaming there, it’s been next to impossible,” he added. “We’re not banking on it at all.”