Politicians push to abandon restructuring

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: October 14, 2010 6:00 PM
Support for Greater Vernon parks restructuring appears to be crumbling.  Doubts about the process to split up parks and recreation facilities surfaced during a meeting of the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee Thursday.  “I’d like to see the parks review dropped,” said Mike Gavinchuk, BX-Swan Lake director.  “What ever we agree to, the next councils will be fighting and the public will not accept it.” Under restructuring, regional assets have been identified as the Vernon 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, including Polson Park, Kal Beach and Kin Beach. Vernon and Coldstream have previously indicated that the current model doesn’t allow for local input over maintenance or planning. However, Gavinchuk believes the best solution is for the partnership to be amended and not to scrap it.  “The few problems we have could be adjusted,” he said. 
Gyula Kiss, Coldstream director, isn’t surprised officials on all sides are questioning restructuring even though a draft agreement has been developed.  “Once you start getting financial information, people start changing (opinions),” he said.  “The whole system is based on a referendum in the 1970s to join forces. It may be a good idea to ask the public if they want it disbanded.”  Restructuring could see the recreation complex become the sole responsibility of the City of Vernon, but opinions are starting to shift.  “We’re happy with it remaining as is a regional function,” said Jim Garlick, Coldstream director.
If Vernon gained control of the complex, the financial contributions from Coldstream and the two electoral areas for operations would be reduced by half because they would not have a vote on decisions.  But while he is willing to consider status quo for the recreation complex, Garlick insists there are other areas that have to evolve.

“There are some deficiencies we need to address,” he said referring to parks maintenance. “Things that are truly regional make sense to keep regional and things that are local are moving to local.” Wayne Lippert, GVAC chairman and Vernon director, believes reconsideration of restructuring was inevitable.
“They understand the costs and liabilities and they may not want to do them alone,” he said.  “Right now, it looks like a real possibility that things could stay close to what they are.”  The next step may be for the councils from Vernon and Coldstream, as well as the electoral area directors, to meet and discuss parks and recreation.