Kin Race Track fight heats up

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: December 08, 2009 7:00 PM

Debate over the future of Kin Race Track could flare up as proposed sports fields move ahead. The Greater Vernon Advisory Committee is expected to recommend Thursday that the North Okanagan Regional District budget $40,000 in 2010 for a consultant to design a sports field complex at Kin. “If we are to go ahead (with construction) in 2011, we need a plan drawn up in 2010,” said Jim Bailey, facilities manager. Earlier this year, NORD told the Okanagan Equestrian Society, the track’s longtime occupant, it can no longer use the property as of Oct. 31, 2010 and all equipment must be gone by Dec. 31, 2010. Litigation has ensued since then, but Bailey expects NORD’s stance will remain firm. “We are proceeding on the premise that eviction will carry through,” he said. Support for the $40,000 expenditure has the support of Patrick Nicol, who sits on GVAC and the regional board. “There needs to be a plan and people need to have some input into it,” he said, adding that he favours sports fields there. “It’s a natural area to improve community services. It’s next to Wesbild Centre and other amenities.”

Okanagan Equestrian Society officials believe GVAC may be acting too hasty with the $40,000. “They are getting a little ahead of themselves. Nothing has been decided about what will happen with Kin Race Track,” said Ed Woolley, president. The society maintains there is an agreement that calls for the property to host equestrian events. If an extension of the eviction notice can’t be agreed to, the society expects to seek an injunction to allow for the use of the track until the conflict is resolved. “As long as this is before the courts, we aren’t going anywhere,” said Woolley. In the meantime, the society has released a report that proposes the establishment of an equestrian centre somewhere in the North Okanagan. “There isn’t the space needed for a centre at Kin,” said Woolley. The report calls for an equestrian centre to include a one-mile track, a multi-use building, a training and exercise track, stables, a concert stage, a gaming operation and fairgrounds. The next step could be a feasibility study and to determine possible locations, including Spallumcheen. Woolley says all local communities should be interested in developing an equestrian centre. “I would anticipate it would be attractive to many of the municipalities in the area from the perspective of economic development and jobs.”