Restructuring Greater Vernon’s parks and recreation function continues, but uncertainty remains. It’s anticipated that Vernon and Coldstream councils will receive an update Tuesday from a committee that has been reviewing parks, recreation and culture and possible changes to how they operate. “The committee has reached compromises but it’s now in the hands of the councils and regional district,” said Allan Neilson-Welch, a consultant leading the process.
If restructuring proceeds, some parks and facilities will be identified as regional in scope while others will become local. Targeted as regional are the Performing Arts Centre, Wesbild Centre, Swan Lake Park and the Grey Canal Trail. All other parks and facilities would be considered local and be the sole responsibility of their host jurisdiction. It’s been suggested that Vernon take over Kin Beach and Kal Beach become the responsibility of Coldstream. However, Coldstream Mayor Jim Garlick isn’t convinced his municipality wants to run Kal Beach, largely because the site is owned by the city. “Our first preference is it being a regional park,” he said. “We’re looking at the liabilities and what we can do there. If there’s an old building, can we address that?” It’s been proposed that the city lease Kal Beach to Coldstream for 40 years, and Vernon Mayor Wayne Lippert says there is little chance of ownership being transferred. “It’s something the city owned prior to the parks service being created,” he said, adding that Coldstream is hanging on to land it has owned for years.
Another issue of contention is the Vernon Recreation Complex. The draft agreement calls for the city to operate the building which it already owns. Coldstream and the two electoral areas would only pay half of what they currently are towards operations because they wouldn’t have a vote on issues. “Everyone enjoys these facilities whether you live in Vernon, Coldstream or the BX,” said Lippert. “Some of my councillors aren’t happy about this. Some call it a subsidy for outlying areas.” Coldstream is also divided on the funding formula. “I have a split council. Some say we should stay in the recreation complex regionally and some want to pay nothing,” said Garlick.
The thrust behind restructuring negotiations has been to allow individual jurisdictions more control over parks and facilities. But Lippert says Coldstream and the electoral areas have been the catalyst. “We should go to the table thinking about all of our citizens and not just chopping it up,” he said. “I’d be happy if everything just stayed as it is.” Beyond parks and recreation, a separate function could be established for arts, culture and youth activities in Greater Vernon.
3 comments:
Yet again, I feel disrespected as someone is not in the principality of Vernon.
I spent most of my discretionary money there. Volunteer there, socialize there.
Why the need to consolidate power?
Reminds one of the the various characters on Air Farce expounding on complex issues with an extraordinay confidence bourne out of naivete and ego
The previous writer may feel "disrespected" but did he or she want to comment about most services being primarily paid for by the Vernon taxpayer.
Anonymous #2 may be unaware that under the current Greater Vernon arrangement, the service in question (parks & recreation) is paid for equally by those who benefit - i.e. all Greater Vernon taxpayers, whether they live in Vernon, Coldstream or Areas B&C.
And as Anonymous #2 obviously cares that everyone pay their fair share (and I share your concern!), why not let Vernon Council know how you feel about their apparent desire for CONTROL of decision-making, instead of COST-SHARING with other jurisdictions?
How could any local politician justify voting in favour of 'taxation without representation'? No one can expect residents of Coldstream and the electoral areas to be happy to share the costs of a service when they won't have a say in how that service is run.
Please, could someone explain what is/was so problematic about collective decision-making for the benefit of the entire Greater Vernon community, that we should now agree to a Vernon dictatorship, and that Vernon taxpayers should be prepared to pay more than their fair share?
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