An agreement that could lead to a Greater Vernon sports complex is drawing scrutiny. Wayne Lippert, Vernon’s mayor, is questioning the terms of a lease between the North Okanagan Regional District and Okanagan College. “The lease could have been a lot better for taxpayers,” he said. NORD will pay $1 a year over 40 years so 10 acres at the Kalamalka campus can be used for a running track, sports field and other amenities. “The college hasn’t used the property for years and taxpayers are going to invest $7.8 million in facilities,” said Lippert. “We’ll be maintaining the facility and parking lot for the college. The college will be getting facilities to use at no cost and a classroom to use.”
Claims that the lease agreement is lopsided are being refuted by Okanagan College officials. “The idea of having a running track is ideal not because we’re going to get a lot out of it, but because this will draw people up here and make more people aware of the college,” said dean John Lent. “Vernon and Coldstream will really benefit because the facility will be at the gateway to the communities and they will get lots of use from it.” In terms of Lippert’s claims about the college having a classroom provided, Lent says the space’s primary focus would be for community groups using the sports field and track. “If we start an agriculture program, it may be used for that but it wouldn’t be used regularly as a classroom,” said Lent. Lent’s comments are backed up by NORD staff. “The room would be there for the college or anyone that needs it,” said Al McNiven, parks and recreation general manager. Jim Garlick, Coldstream mayor, believes Lippert is wrong when he says NORD will be responsible for parking maintenance. “We will pay $1,000 a year for the parking lot which they (college) will maintain,” said Garlick. “I don’t see any negatives with the lease. We have an opportunity to do something that’s needed in the community.”
Garlick questions why Lippert is challenging the lease when negotiations have been underway for three years. “He’s had an opportunity to do this up until now,” said Garlick. Lippert is reluctant to say whether he will openly lobby his council and residents to endorse the borrowing of $7.8 million if it goes to referendum. “I can support the facility but it will be up to citizens to decide if they can support it,” he said. No timeline has been established for a referendum as approval is needed from the Agricultural Land Commission to use the property for a non-farm use.
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Morning Star Editorial Mayor should get on board December 02, 2010 6:00 PM
One politician appears determined to undermine the move towards a sports complex. Vernon Mayor Wayne Lippert has questioned a deal where the North Okanagan Regional District will lease 10 acres from Okanagan College for a running track and artificial turf field. He claims that while NORD will be paying $1 a year for 40 years, the college will have free access to the facilities, including a meeting room. Lippert also points out that OC wasn’t doing anything with the land. There’s no question that the 10 acres has been sitting vacant for decades, but that is irrelevant. If NORD had to go and purchase a comparable sized lot, it would exceed the financial means of taxpayers and the facility would never proceed. In terms of the college using the facility for free, that seems fair when the total rent is $40, plus $1,000 a year for parking maintenance. And realistically, OC’s use of the amenities won’t be that excessive. Community groups will be the focus there. Negotiations between NORD and OC have been underway for three years, and as Lippert is chairperson of the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee, one has to wonder where he was during the process? Lippert insists he can support the facility but he refuses to say whether he will take a leading role in selling the $7.8 million concept to his council or taxpayers. That’s unfortunate because such leadership will be needed if this initiative is to succeed. Greater Vernon residents have stated for years that sports facilities are a priority, and it’s time for Lippert to get on board instead of ripping apart the details.
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