A complete mess

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: June 08, 2010 7:00

It’s called the Vernon Recreation Complex, but it’s not unusual to find residents of Coldstream and the BX splashing about in the pool or lacing up skates at the Priest Valley Arena or outdoor rink. Seniors from throughout Greater Vernon can be found playing crib or other games at the Halina Centre, while special events in the auditorium draw from across all borders. That’s why it’s surprising that the complex hasn’t been listed as a regional facility by the politicians who are restructuring Greater Vernon’s parks, recreation and culture function. Apparently the difference between it and Wesbild Centre or the Performing Arts Centre is the City of Vernon owns the complex while the regional district has title on the other two. But consider that since a regional function was formed about 30 years ago, all Greater Vernon taxpayers — including those from Coldstream and the BX — have pumped millions of dollars into the operation of the recreation complex. Yes Vernon has picked up 65 or 70 per cent of the tab because of its larger population, but if it wasn’t for the other jurisdictions, the cost would have been even higher.

Back in the early to mid-90s, a majority of Greater Vernon voters agreed to borrow money to overhaul the pool, and recent improvements to the auditorium have been a collective project. Some of the adjacent property at the complex, and particularly for parking lots, was also bought by the regional district. Considering all of this, the city’s ownership of the complex is on paper only. But representatives from Coldstream and the BX appear ready to bow to pressure from Vernon and turn over complete control. And what is particularly concerning about that is residents outside of Vernon would continue to pay for operations but Coldstream and the BX would no longer have a vote on the matter. Who do these residents turn to if they don’t like how their money is being spent? The link between taxation and representation is almost as old as democracy itself, but the concept is being casually tossed aside in Greater Vernon.

Now Coldstream officials will claim that giving up any say over the recreation complex will translate into their contribution being chopped in half, and that money can go towards the running of parks it will take over as part of dismantling the regional function. But does that make any sense? Won’t it cost Coldstream more to hire its own staff and maintain its own parks than the current system where all jurisdictions toss money into a pot? Vernon will also have to do the same for parks deemed to be local in nature, while everyone will still be paying towards regional assets like Kin and Kal beaches, but not Polson Park. What will be created is a confusing situation where the average resident won’t know who is running what, and more money will simply be pumped into bureaucracy.

It’s still not known exactly what is driving the dismantling of the parks and recreation function, except some excuse from Coldstream that there needs to be more local say on how parks are maintained. But if the politicians were truly dedicated to representing the public interest, they would have found a way to address those concerns within the existing system instead of throwing the baby out with the bath water. Unfortunately, though, it’s unlikely this process can be stopped and the sad part is that the public has been left on the sidelines. There have been no information sessions or surveys — nothing to indicate that this is the route residents actually want their elected officials to follow.But you can be rest assured that when it comes time to pay for this mess, taxpayers in all jurisdictions will be handed the bill.