All Coldstream wanted was the chance to maintain its own parks, but now the municipality says the issue has spiralled out of control. The Greater Vernon parks and recreation function is the topic of both public and private debate among area politicians. They are considering restructuring the function and splitting operation of parks and facilities between member jurisdictions. But Coldstream says all it ever wanted was some local control of its parks. In the spring/summer of 2009, Coldstream brought up issues with maintenance levels in its parks following a number of resident complaints – particularly in Lavington Park. “I thought it would be quite simple to deal with that,” said Mayor Jim Garlick. Coldstream simply wanted to deliver the parks maintenance contract for its parks just as Vernon delivers the parks maintenance for Vernon parks. Currently, Vernon delivers park maintenance for all parks. “Our first intent in bringing this forward was a way of having some local control of our local parks,” said Garlick. “It’s since morphed into something else.”
He likes the fact that Vernon has, for example, taken revitalization of Polson Park under its wing and would like to see individual communities maintain their own parks, instead of having one authority rule them all. “To throw everything into one bag, you lose some of the flavour of the community.” Coldstream would still like to see its major attractions, such as Kalamalka Beach, remain a regional park, but just wants some control of area parks in order to better maintain them. The ongoing restructuring process calls for Vernon to make all decisions on the Vernon Recreation Complex. The financial contribution from Coldstream and Areas B and C towards operations would be reduced by half because they would not have a vote on matters. “If we give up the equity than I’m not willing to pay,” said Coldstream Coun. Gyula Kiss. Since the parks service was developed from a referendum, Kiss says no one has the authority to divide the parks function. “Ethically and probably legally I don’t see how we can divide this equity.”
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