The plan for a new track and field complex on farm land next to Okanagan College in Coldstream will be put to the public, but when that may happen still isn't not known. Greater Vernon Advisory Committee members passed a motion today to get public consent using a referendum to borrow up to 8.5 million dollars for the facility. It would include a rubberized Olympic-sized running track and a playing field with an artificial surface. The site was not specified in the motion although the college land and Kin Race Track were the only two listed in a RDNO staff report, but Kin is considered "encumbered" and "it is unknown when it may become accessible."
GVAC chair Mike Macnabb calls the decision a positive step. "We're committing about eight million dollar towards this, and it's up to the public to say yes or no, so if we can get it out to referendum in a timely manner then we will get a sense from the public." The proposal faces a deadline from the Agricultural Land Commission of November 2014 to be built, as one of the requirements for using farm land that is owned by the college, and would be leased to RDNO in a 40 year agreement. The next step will be to consult with stakeholder groups, and consider time lines for holding a vote. Vernon director Bob Spiers made the motion to get public consent using a referendum, rather than a counter petition. "I believe that any want items, as opposed to need items like water and sewer, should go to referendum so the people that ultimately are going to have to pay for it get to vote on it, whether they want that." Spiers called the counter petition process "slimy" during the meeting, but backed off that term in a later interview with Kiss FM. "I probably misspoke using that word, but it's sort of an underhanded way that's used to get a project through that may be controversial." A counter petition requires the community to sign petition forms to oppose a borrowing bylaw, and if 10% of eligible members do so, a referendum can be called, or the politicians could look at other options. Prior to today's vote, RDNO administrator Trafford Hall cautioned the committee about deciding to use a referendum without first considering a counter petition as well. He says it could address any potential "sharks in the water." Hall told Kiss FM, "There are pros and cons to all of these decisions, and I do not like to bring a recommendation before a board before examining those." Hall told the directors, "If anything happens of negative consequences, don't look at staff and say, 'we should have told you so.'" However, after the vote, Hall said staff will "live very nicely" with the direction of the board, and will do a good job on it.
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