Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: May 13, 2010 6:00 PM
A politician insists any redevelopment of Kin Race Track is like putting the cart before the horse. The Greater Vernon Advisory Committee received draft plans to construct an array of recreational facilities on the 43rd Avenue property Thursday. Opposition came from director Mike Gavinchuk. “To go to full planning is premature,” he said. “What if the race track stays there? This will look rather silly.” The North Okanagan Regional District is in the midst of ongoing litigation with the Okanagan Equestrian Society over use of the track. NORD, which owns the property with the City of Vernon, has issued the society an eviction notice for later this year. The matter is not expected to go before the courts until spring. “We’re spending money on this thing we’re not really sure about,” said Gavinchuk. “This is going ahead too quick.”
However, the rest of the committee supports the process. “We could wait forever and then we’d still have to begin planning,” said director Patrick Nicol, adding that NORD is helping the society review other locations for an equestrian centre. Director Jim Garlick says no decision on construction at the track would occur until after a court ruling. “This (plans) will end the process until we know what will happen in the future,” he said. Chairman Wayne Lippert denies the planning process goes against litigation. “These plans aren’t written in stone. This gets the idea out there of what uses could happen,” he said.
The two draft options for the 25-acre site were devised after meeting with user groups. Both of them call for twin ice sheets, a gymnastics facility, four fastball diamonds, soccer fields, a concession, a BMX/mountain bike course and an open area for farmers’ markets and outdoor concerts. One option would have the arena and gymnastics facility close to Wesbild Centre, while they would be next to Old Kamloops Road in the other scenario. The consultant working on the project admits that trying to fit all of the user groups’ wishes on the site was challenging. “The desires list was very long and the site is very small,” said Pawel Gradowski, an architect with Durante Kreuk. “We did incorporate all of the elements into the two schemes.”
Both options will be put before the public for input May 27. “Based on the feedback, we’ll revamp these plans and come up with a final solution,” said Gradowski. Nicol is impressed with the renderings presented by the architect. “The ideas are very thoughtful. Hopefully the public will look at the plans seriously and give further feedback,” he said. Director Gyula Kiss hopes NORD staff and the consultant have taken into account the changing demographics of the community. “There are more old people and less young people and schools are closing,” said Kiss of whether any proposed facilities will reflect actual need.
1 comment:
Will the plans include the perceived operating costs as well or will it be another fiscal fiasco like the Wesbild center became when they suddenly realized that they were losing $400,000 per year operating same?
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