Reconsider Coldstream Hotel site: councillor

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star - February 08, 2008

A veteran Vernon politician is convinced plans for a cultural complex should be dusted off. In light of the failed referendum for a new civic building, Coun. Pat Cochrane says the previous plans for a cultural complex on the Coldstream Hotel site should be resurrected. “I’d like to take a fresh look at it,” he said.“It’s an ideal location and a huge site that we can put a lot on to.”The former council acquired the Coldstream Hotel block for a complex that would include an art gallery, museum and library. However, current council deemed that proposal to be too costly and not a good use of the land.Instead, it put forth a plan for a civic complex between city hall and the museum. It would have included a library, art gallery and offices for city workers and the RCMP.Last month, voters defeated a bid to borrow up to $30 million for construction of the complex.

Cochrane says the space needs of the various agencies must still be addressed and he believes the answer may lie with the design developed by the former cultural complex committee. “If we do it right, there probably would be a lot of support for it.” Beyond the cultural component, Cochrane suggests the Coldstream Hotel property could include commercial and residential uses through a private/public partnership.But he doesn’t want to see the matter put before residents any time soon. Because of the costs involved and the need to work on the design further, he says the earliest a referendum should be held is the 2011 municipal election.“There’s not the support for anything immediately,” he said. That timeline may not work for Okanagan Regional Library which wants a larger branch, and Cochrane says ORL may have to go it alone instead of being part of a cultural complex.“The existing library site could work for them,” he said of an expansion and possibly a satellite branch in Vernon.

2006 brought changes to City of Vernon !

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE !

New Library Facility Gets the Go Ahead

Vernon City News Release
Plans to construct a new state of the art library facility are underway following Monday's Council meeting when approval was granted for staff to proceed with preliminary designs to construct the new facility. In partnership with the Okanagan Regional Library, The City of Vernon is looking to make application from the recently announced Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund; Cultural grant opportunity to assist with the construction costs for the 90,000 sq. ft. building on the Civic Complex site. The library, which will be housed on the main level, will constitute 30,000 sq. ft. of the space; with the remaining area being used for offices. Underground parking will be provided. “The existing library of 13,000 sq. ft. is only 52% of the size is should be in accordance with the 2001 census” states Ms. Lesley Dieno, Executive Director of the Okanagan Regional Library Board. “ Vernon is our busiest library. But having less space, Vernon citizens have a lot less choice on the shelf than they should have and half the internet resources they need.” With increased space, the Okanagan Regional Library will be able to deliver improved services to the Vernon community, including additional collections, increased children's programs, an adequate meeting room and above all more choice. At a meeting held this week in Kelowna , members of the Okanagan Regional Library Board, which represents 25 communities in the region, unanimously supported working with the City to provide this facility “ Vernon and Summerland are the two facilities that are high priorities for the library system. These two libraries are at 50% of the space that their citizens are paying for” said Patrick Nicol, City of Vernon representative for the Okanagan Regional Library Board.Posted: November 16, 2006

KISS 107.5 NEWS SHORTS

http://www.1075kiss.com/news/headlines/

Former Fireman Fined For Starting Fires (Pete McIntyre)
A former volunteer firefighter from the Vernon area has been sentenced for deliberately setting fires. 21 year old Mark Sherwin pled guilty to one count of mischief after admitting to starting five fires in the Silver Star Road area in the summers of 2003 and '04. He was a member of the Silver Star Fire Department at the time. The blazes were set in slash piles and none resulted in major damage, but forestry officials say the results could have been catastrophic, given the hot, dry conditions. Sherwin confessed to police about starting the fires after video cameras were set in the area of previous fires caught his truck on video in late July 2004, the night of another fire.Provincial court judge Mark Takahashi gave Sherwin a $1,000 fine, three years probation, and ordered him to pay $47,000 restitution to the Ministry of Forests for fire fighting costs. He also ordered Sherwin not to posses matches outside his residence, and to get counselling. Defence counsel , Al Betton claimed his client started the fires to improve the readiness of his fire department. The Crown said Sherwin was motivated by the adrenalin rush of fighting fires, and one doctor diagnosed him as a pyromaniac. Sherwin currently resides on Ontario where he attends Queen's University. RCMP Corproal Henry Proce says police are satisfied with the sentence, 'He basically got what Crown was asking for which was three years probation. He has a criminal record, the conviction is registered, and that's what we were asking for.' Betton had argued for a conditional discharge but Judge Takahashi ruled that out, saying that wasn't in the public interest, and would not show the dangerous nature of the activity.

New Plan For Vernon Library (Pete McIntyre)
The Okanagan Regional Library board is supporting a new plan for a new Vernon library. Library board chair Carole Williams of Coldstream says the city is proposing a new building in the civic complex, just north of the current library, in the current parking lot. She tells KISS FM, 'The bottom floor would be for the library (30,000 square feet). We are looking at participating with the city to look for infrastructure grants. The city is spearheading this. The regional library is right there beside them and we're excited about this.' Williams says the plan is to have the new building completed by 2010. She says there's no cost estimates at this point, and adds there's still a lot of work to do before a hole can be 'dug in the ground'. Mayor Wayne Lippert says the city and Library have agreeed to preliminary design work to determine the costs and design. He says the early idea would be to have three floors, with the library on the main floor and office space and perhaps other uses in the other two floors. He says the old library building would be used for other pusposes and perhaps for cultural facilities like the art gallery and museum. Williams says the O-R-L has been puttting money away for the last six to seven years which will be used to operate the new building.

Kelowna in search of its soul

By Daily Courier Staff Monday, November 6, 2006 http://www.kelownadailycourier.ca/article_3550.php

Kelowna is embarking on a month-long search for its soul.The city’s cultural services division is hosting a series of neighbourhood meetings to discuss Kelowna’s culture and identity. The goals are to find what residents have in common and inspire them to be more creatively active.“We want people to start building a shared story about what is Kelowna’s shared soul,” said Sandra Kochan, co-ordinator of the cultural services strategic plan. “We’re a city undergoing a lot of change. Thirty-five years ago, it would have been quite easy to answer this question. Right now, it’s different.”The influx of newcomers to this once-pastoral community has skewed perceptions of what Kelowna should be. Unless residents build a consensus, cultural leaders won’t know if their plans are heading in the right direction, Kochan said.At the meetings, participants can review and contribute to the cultural services mapping project, which will identify all contributors to Kelowna’s arts and cultural sector.“The map is an organic process,” said Sheila Olcen, cultural development supervisor. “If you’re active in the arts and cultural sector, we need to know.”The city has launched an advertising campaign to publicize the workshops. The budget for the initiative is $12,500. Ultimately, staff want to encourage more active participation among audiences, said Kochan. “Going to a soccer game isn’t nearly as good as playing soccer. If someone is interested in music, they learn to play violin. They’ll have a deeper appreciation for the symphony.”The benefits of singing in a choir are similar to playing on a sports team, Kochan says – you’re connected to people, you learn new skills, and it’s fun. But she’s hesitant to say culture is only about the arts or institutions like galleries, museums or theatres. People have family cultures, workplace cultures and even sub-cultures, Kochan said. A young person could be part of the skateboarding culture; a senior may be connected to people of his ethnic heritage.“We want to encourage a good cross-section of the community to come and share their insights with us,” she said.The public can attend any of the free sessions:

News Briefs Sept 17 Morningstar

Vernon Morningstar
Vocal Arts Festival funding fuels debate
A Greater Vernon politician is left wondering when one-time only means one-time only. Director Barry Beardsell is upset that the Greater Vernon Services Commission has confirmed the Okanagan Vocal Arts Festival Society will get $10,000 for this year's event despite receiving $32,000 in 2003. "They were only getting money from taxpayers once. That was the entire discussion and intent at the time," he said of the 2003 contribution. However, staff says the 2003 funds were provided before a firm policy was in place and they came from a different source of money than those this year.
Work continues on Duteau Creek project
Planning is continuing on a new clarification system for the Duteau Creek water source. "The project has kicked off quite quickly," said Jeremy Kinch, Greater Vernon Services Commission project manager. The goal is to award the general construction contract in March, with the facility opened in spring 2008. The $19 million clarification facility would address turbidity and colour concerns with the former Vernon Irrigation District.
Greater Vernon expands tourism marketing
A grant will allow the Greater Vernon Services Commission to triple its tourism marketing initiatives. The $212,345 grant is being provided by the Union of B.C. Municipalities. "The grant will enhance current tourism marketing initiatives and assist in building new marketing opportunities," said Jennifer Strachan, with GVSC. Among the projects being supported is signage, expanded circulation of the visitors guide, increased representation at trade shows and facilities such as the Gray Canal trail and O'Keefe Ranch.
Shift considered for performing arts name
The Greater Vernon Services Commission may change its strategy when it comes to finding a corporate name for the Performing Arts Centre. In a memo to directors, staff says there have been meeting between them and the Vernon Performing Arts Centre Society, which operates the facility. "We are looking at the possibility of pursuing the selling of the naming rights ourselves," said Al McNiven, parks and recreation administrator. Earlier in the year, the board had asked staff to seek a consultant that would try and sell the naming rights.
"If there are local companies who may be interested in naming rights, it may be more beneficial to have staff and local people deal with these companies," said McNiven.

Library Proposals Needed

http://www.1075kiss.com/whatson/news.jsp
Officials with the Okanagan Regional Library are not in any rush to build a new Vernon branch.The funding for it has been in place for a number of years, but the project has been on hold while thecity decided what to do with the cultural complex.Now that city council has shelved the complex plan, Library board chair Carol Williams says they're waiting for another proposal.Williams says,'The ORL staff has been meeting with the city staff looking at ways where we can, in fact, get a new branch.'Williams says there's no pressure from the public to build a new branch, adding most library users are happy with the service they're getting.(Pete McIntyre July 31)

Province pushed to support library

By richard rolke Morning Star StaffJul 30 2006 http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/
There’s intense lobbying under way to ensure the provincial government supports a new library in Greater Vernon. MLA Tom Christensen met with Vernon Mayor Wayne Lippert and Okanagan Regional Library officials Friday to discuss the plight of the community’s branch. “It was an opportunity to bring me up to speed on the work the board is doing in terms of getting additional space,” said Christensen. As a result of the meeting, Christensen will try to determine whether there is provincial capital funding available for an expanded library, whether it is at the current site or another location. “That (grant) could play in to their plans,” he said. Based on information he received during the session, Christensen is convinced that Vernon, Coldstream and the two electoral areas require a larger library. “They strongly made a case that, in terms of physical space, the area is under-served,” he said. Carol Williams, a Coldstream councillor and ORL chairman, was pleased to meet with Christensen. “The more people who understand why we need to move forward on this, the better for the community,” she said. Williamson believes provincial grants would be beneficial if development of a larger branch proceeds by taking some burden off local taxpayers. “Grants certainly would help us move forward,” she said. However, even if Victoria doesn’t participate, ORL has been putting money aside for a Vernon branch and has the ability to levy funds. Also attending the meeting were Vernon Coun. Patrick Nicol and regional district director Rick Fairbairn.

Cultural complex left in limbo

Jul 26 2006 http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/ EDITORIAL
Vernon’s cultural complex committee may be without work, but the fate of the proposal is still uncertain. Council did little to instill confidence in anyone interested in cultural services in the community Monday. The volunteer committee that pursued the matter was disbanded, but the politicians gave no details as to the next step. There were some sketchy details from Coun. Jack Gilroy about a cultural district with greenspaces and walkways. But there was absolutely no concrete information about what will happen with the museum and the art gallery. There’s been some suggestion that the two agencies could relocate to the former Coldstream Hotel site in conjunction with commercial space and residential housing units. It’s possible that was the subject during an in-camera session Monday, but all council would state was the discussions revolved around land, and, as a result, were confidential. Giving the cultural committee its walking papers made sense because its extremely narrow mandate has been fulfilled. It looked at the prospect of bringing the museum, library and art gallery under one roof. It didn’t have the authority to consider options such as housing units. But such options have to be considered if there is any chance of meeting the cultural needs of the community while not placing further financial burden on taxpayers. The next step is clearly in council’s hands, but based on the lack of details Monday, residents are left wondering if the city actually has a sense of direction.

Council disbands cultural committee

By RICHARD ROLKEMorning Star StaffJul 26 2006 http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/
Vernon’s cultural complex committee has been handed its walking papers.
Council voted unanimously Monday to disband the cultural complex committee and that has chairman Sigrid-Ann questioning where the community goes next in terms of addressing the long-term needs of cultural agencies. “I don’t get a sense of what their direction is. It’s very vague,” she said. “It (scrapping the committee) is not a positive move. It’s a move.” Thors isn’t sure that council is trying to fulfill the terms of the committee’s report, which was presented two weeks ago. “They’re trying to decide what to do with that (Coldstream Hotel) lot. Some on council see culture as important and some don’t, so I’ll be interested to see what they do.” Thors acknowledged, though, that the committee was a child of the city. “They have every right to do that,” she said of bringing the process to an end. “We fulfilled our mandate and there was lots of good work done.” Councillors defended terminating the committee. “The committee needs to be thanked for all its hard work. The reality is they’ve fulfilled their mandate and council is moving forward,” said Coun. Pat Cochrane. The city had mandated the committee look at establishing a central home for the museum, library and art gallery. Council now wants to look at a variety of issues such as establishing a cultural district or pursing some private development to help make the concept a reality. The city recently decided to look at expanding the current library building, and Coun. Jack Gilroy is convinced that having several cultural sites downtown is the best move. “We could make a cultural zone with greenways and pathways,” he said. “Right now, the cultural complex at $29 to $39 million is not looking good for the taxpayer.” While the committee has been disbanded, its members may be utilized in an advisory role in future.

COUNCIL DISSOLVES CULTURAL COMMITTEE

SCOTT NEUFELD http://www.dailycourier.ca/
After taking a few more hours to deliberate, Vernon city council had little new to say to the public about the cultural complex committee'sfinal report.Council had been scheduled to discuss the report at the committee of the whole meeting but delayed discussion until after an in camera session later yesterday morning. When council finally discussed the issue at the regular council meeting, Coun. Jack Gilroy read a statement thanking them for their effort but proposing that the complex committee be disbanded."When we do move forward with the Cultural Complex Zone we will need their input," Gilroy said. Sigrid-Ann Thors, chair of the now disbanded cultural complex committee said she was a bit puzzled by council's discussion. She said outside council chambers that she doesn't know what council has planned for the facility's future."They have every right to do that; we have fulfilled our mandate," she said. "I can't say it's a positive move - it's just a move."Thors said the she and the other committee members are willing to continueto give what help they can. She said they still believe in the project but don't know what council plans to do next."It will be interesting to see which direction they will go," she said. "Idon't get a sense of what their direction is - it's very vague."Coun. Barry Beardsell said council needs to inform the public about its intentions for the Coldstream Hotel block. Beardsell appeared to be surprised at the suggestion of a cultural zone."Cultural zone, what cultural zone?" he said. "Is there nothing more . . . we're going to say about cultural activity in the community?"Gilroy clarified that he was referring to a zone around the city hall complex where there would be cultural buildings, pathways and green spaces"Right now this cultural complex at this $24 to $39 million dollar cost is not looking very good for taxpayers," he said.Cochrane said that council is still looking at all of the possibilities surrounding the use of the property slated to house the library, gallery and museum. He said that high-rises and commercial uses are still an option."We're looking very hard at what we can do with the accumulated properties," he said. "But we're going in a direction to take advantage of options with public private partnerships. "Beardsell reiterated the need to have a public discussion, but the request was not taken up by the rest of council."I think the public, with all the time and money invested (in the complex report) needs to hear a bit of discussion about it," he said.Council voted unanimously to disband the committee but did not make any firm plans to continue discussion of the cultural complex.

Cultural Committee Gone

http://www.vernon.thesun.net/node/387587
The cultural complex committee has been disbanded. The committee presented their 39 million dollar plan for a new library, museum and art gallery on the old Coldstream Hotel site two weeks ago, but council voted yesterday to end the committee's term, but they didn't make any decisions about the complex. Committee Chair, Sigrid Ann Thors says she can't say it's a positive move, just a move.Betty Selin, Standard Radio News

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Culture Complex Scrapped
http://www.1075kiss.com/whatson/news.jsp
City council has scrapped the idea for a cultural complex, but will instead explore ways to establish a 'cultural zone' on the former Coldstream Hotel site.Council voted to dissolve the special committee that's been looking into the issue for the last year, and thanked the members for their efforts.Chairperson Sigrid Anne Thors told the media afterwards, council seems to be at odds with what to do with the lot, and what functions would be included.Thors says, 'I don't think they know. One of the comments was that it could have some highrises and some private enterprise and put the gallery and the museum in there. That's pretty difficult if you have separate buildings there."Councillor Pat Cochrane says the plan is still to move forward with new cultural facilities but he says the city needs to first explore different funding partnerships and designs.The committee's plan for a library, museum and art gallery would have cost around 38 million dollars, which was deemed by many to be too rich. (Pete McIntyre July 25)

CULTURAL COMPLEX COMMITTEE NEWS

CLICK ON CARTOON TO ENLARGE

At the council meeting today by a 7-0 vote the Council announced the disbanding of the existing Cultural Complex Committee.





Councillor not willing to extend committee’s role
By RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star StaffJul 23 2006 http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/
A Vernon politician is preparing to pull the plug on the city’s cultural complex committee. Coun. Jack Gilroy is unwilling to consider a request Monday that the committee’s mandate be extended and expanded to take in other issues related to the proposed facility. “They’ve done an excellent job but it’s time for council to take over and make a decision,” he said. The committee presented its final report to council two weeks ago, and, as part of the document, it asked that the future mandate of the committee be extended. It also wants its mandate defined to deal with the official community plan, the library’s long-term plans, establishing structure of jurisdictions, inclusion of other groups and possible phasing in of construction. However, Gilroy doesn’t believe that is necessary. “We could go on and on spending taxpayers’ money (on studies) but it’s time to make a decision,” he said. Gilroy says he favours establishing a cultural district in downtown Vernon, but he is concerned the complex’s estimated $38 million price tag will be too onerous on taxpayers. Gilroy will likely butt heads with Mayor Wayne Lippert Monday. Lippert says the committee’s original mandate was very narrow and other options, such as including commercial space or affordable housing, couldn’t be considered. “We need to look at other ways to make it work,” he said of the complex. “The cultural community is important to the city and we need to look at it and to keep it viable.” Besides seeking an extended mandate, the cultural committee has also made other requests of city council.
It wants council to review jurisdictional issues, particularly how to proceed with the Greater Vernon Services Commission. The committee also wants its final report released to GVSC and the Okanagan Regional Library board.

LOCAL COUNCIL NEWS (SUN FM)

Payback http://www.vernon.thesun.net/node/381415
Vernon's former Mayor, Sean Harvey, has made another installment to repay the city for the abuse of his expense account. Mayor Wayne Lippert says he made the latest payment of 15-hundred dollars was made last Friday Lippert says Harvey still owes close to 14-thousand dollars. It was a year ago Tuesday that Harvey resigned. He was charged after an RCMP investigation and it is still working its way through the courts. Betty Selin, Standard Radio News

Cultural Complex Report http://www.vernon.thesun.net/node/381418
Vernon City Council has the final report on the cultural complex in their hands.
Committee chair, Sigrid-Ann Thors says people need to understand this isn't a final report on what the signature building would look like. The total cost is 38-million dollars, with the building coming in at 24-million. The proposal includes the Library, museum, gallery and First Nations interpretive centre under one roof on the old Coldstream Hotel site. Council is expected to make a decision in two weeks. Betty Selin, Standard Radio News

Whistler Blower http://www.vernon.thesun.net/node/381417
If City of Vernon staff are not comfortable going to their supervisor with a concern, now they have someone to call. Valerie Harrison , a retired 30 year member of the Vancouver Police Department is the City of Vernon's "outside compliance officer". It's the next step in the "whistle blower policy" put in place last year following the scandal at city hall. Mayor Lippert believes working conditions have improved, but says this is another step in making the city a better place to work. Betty Selin, Standard Radio News

FINAL REPORT FILED RE CULTURAL COMPLEX

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COW MEETING 8.40 WILL COUNCIL ANSWER QUESTIONS ?

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UPDATE: At the meeting this morning Council Authorized the release of the final report to the Library Board. Consideration of the delegation's report was deferred to the next meeting on July 24. No word of when Council will release report to public and Media.

CULTURAL COMPLEX FINAL REPORT MONDAY AT 8:40

Cultural Complex -07/05/06

http://www.vernon.thesun.net/node/378317

Its not looking good for the proposed Cultural Complex. Councillor Barry Beardsell says a report will be given to Greater Vernon Services by the end of July for review from the city of Vernon.But he says he gets the feeling the project isn't a favoured project at this time. Vernon council will receive the report from the Cultural Complex committee in the next week or so and the info will be then sent to GVS by July 31st. Angie Clowry, Standard Radio News

Cultural complex & Boat Launch

Complex Discussion Put Off http://www.1075kiss.com/whatson/news.jsp
An expected discussion by G-V-S-C members about the proposed cultural complex, has been put on hold .The board decided to wait until the complex committee presents its final report to Vernon council on July 10-th.The pitch to make it a Greater Vernon project has already met with resistance from the rural reps who have said they won't support it. (Pete McIntyre June 30-06)

GVSC Approves Boat Launch
An upgrade to a popular boat launching site on Kal Lake should be completed late this summer.That after Greater Vernon Services approved a committee's recommendations for the Kalavista boat launch in Coldstream.The changes will go ahead pending approval from the Environment Ministry which could take several weeks.The plans include a new parking lot, with room for up to 25 more vehicles, along with improvements to the ramp and signage.Committee chair Mary Malerby says it was hard to please everyone, but she feels this was the best compromise.G-V-S paid $329,000 for the lot adjacent to Alexanders, last year. (Pete McIntyre June 30-06)