Directors approve funds for equine study

Roger Knox - Vernon Morning Star Published: April 10, 2010 12:00 PM

A proposed equine facility study is moving out of the starting gate. North Okanagan Regional District directors voted to spend $8,000 for the preparation of terms of reference for a follow-up study to a report authored by consultant Gary Bannerman, whose report addressed the possible relocation of Kin Race Track to a new North Okanagan equine centre. NORD owns Kin Race Track and has served eviction notice, effective the end of this year, to the Okanagan Equestrian Society, which has taken NORD and the City of Vernon to court over the dispute.

The matter is still before the courts, which is why BX-Silver Star director Mike Macnabb voted against spending the funds. “Why would we give $8,000 when this matter is going to court?” asked Macnabb. “It does nothing to try and finalize what we have. It’s a waste of money. I can’t support that.” But City of Vernon director Patrick Nicol argued that a follow-up study gives both sides a glimmer of hope. “We have to do something like this or we’ll be in toe-to-toe legal fisticuffs forever. What’s the point of that?” said Nicol. “There’s a lot of history we’re dealing with here. Within 150-to-200 miles of here, this is a big industry. I support this entirely. The money is such a small amount for something that has cost us so much already.” Macnabb was joined by BX-Swan Lake director Mike Gavinchuk and alternate Enderby director Tony Vetter in opposing the motion.

Directors passed a motion to have the follow-up study completed by Aug. 31. The Okanagan Equestrian Society has been looking into the possibility of acquiring a new site for an equine centre, but no firm decision has been made. The society claims equestrian activities were guaranteed when most of Kin Race Track was turned over to the City of Vernon in 1964 for free. The society claims NORD ignored an agreement for lease renewals. A tentative court date is set for June 2011. The society may also seek an injunction to prevent this fall’s eviction.