It looks like Greater Vernon residents could be voting on a sports complex proposal next spring. RDNO staff say that's the likely timeline for getting a referendum in place, saying talks with projected user groups is currently underway. The vote would seek consent to borrow up to 8.5 million dollars for a track and field facility on 5.8 hectares of farm land next to, and owned by, Okanagan College in Coldstream. Community development coordinator Tannis Nelson presented the GVAC board with a 'referendum timeline,' which includes a community education process and a legislative process. "We haven't pin-pointed a date yet. At this point,we've been meeting with community groups, the user groups identified as being key stakeholders for the facility. We've been discussing what is their capacity for advocating for this project, and do they have a preference for timing (for voting day)." In her report, Nelson lists thousands of projected users as the Vernon Amateur Athletic Association, Vernon Minor Football, School District 22 football, elementary school track meets, field lacrosse, Healthy Heart, rugby, the Kal Rats running club and general community use. Vernon director Rob Sawatzky feels the process is progressing, despite some criticism that nothing's happening. "It's not that nothing's being done. There's a considerable amount of procedure that needs to be undertaken, and it just takes time." Coldstream director Jim Garlick is pleased a timeline has been developed. "That's fine with me. As long as we know when it's achievable, that's the important part." Area B director Bob Fleming was concerned about the projected cost creeping up from what he believed was an original 6 million...to 8.5 million. "It's an easy way to fail, to keep having the thing go up," he said. Nelson responded the 8.5 million is just the amount that will be borrowed, and the project may be done for less. If the vote is approved, Nelson says construction could start in November 2013, and be completed before the mandated deadline from the agricultural land commission of November 2014.
Thursday, August 02, 2012
Timeline Tracked For Sports Complex Vote
Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Thursday, 02 August 2012 16:10
It looks like Greater Vernon residents could be voting on a sports complex proposal next spring. RDNO staff say that's the likely timeline for getting a referendum in place, saying talks with projected user groups is currently underway. The vote would seek consent to borrow up to 8.5 million dollars for a track and field facility on 5.8 hectares of farm land next to, and owned by, Okanagan College in Coldstream. Community development coordinator Tannis Nelson presented the GVAC board with a 'referendum timeline,' which includes a community education process and a legislative process. "We haven't pin-pointed a date yet. At this point,we've been meeting with community groups, the user groups identified as being key stakeholders for the facility. We've been discussing what is their capacity for advocating for this project, and do they have a preference for timing (for voting day)." In her report, Nelson lists thousands of projected users as the Vernon Amateur Athletic Association, Vernon Minor Football, School District 22 football, elementary school track meets, field lacrosse, Healthy Heart, rugby, the Kal Rats running club and general community use. Vernon director Rob Sawatzky feels the process is progressing, despite some criticism that nothing's happening. "It's not that nothing's being done. There's a considerable amount of procedure that needs to be undertaken, and it just takes time." Coldstream director Jim Garlick is pleased a timeline has been developed. "That's fine with me. As long as we know when it's achievable, that's the important part." Area B director Bob Fleming was concerned about the projected cost creeping up from what he believed was an original 6 million...to 8.5 million. "It's an easy way to fail, to keep having the thing go up," he said. Nelson responded the 8.5 million is just the amount that will be borrowed, and the project may be done for less. If the vote is approved, Nelson says construction could start in November 2013, and be completed before the mandated deadline from the agricultural land commission of November 2014.
It looks like Greater Vernon residents could be voting on a sports complex proposal next spring. RDNO staff say that's the likely timeline for getting a referendum in place, saying talks with projected user groups is currently underway. The vote would seek consent to borrow up to 8.5 million dollars for a track and field facility on 5.8 hectares of farm land next to, and owned by, Okanagan College in Coldstream. Community development coordinator Tannis Nelson presented the GVAC board with a 'referendum timeline,' which includes a community education process and a legislative process. "We haven't pin-pointed a date yet. At this point,we've been meeting with community groups, the user groups identified as being key stakeholders for the facility. We've been discussing what is their capacity for advocating for this project, and do they have a preference for timing (for voting day)." In her report, Nelson lists thousands of projected users as the Vernon Amateur Athletic Association, Vernon Minor Football, School District 22 football, elementary school track meets, field lacrosse, Healthy Heart, rugby, the Kal Rats running club and general community use. Vernon director Rob Sawatzky feels the process is progressing, despite some criticism that nothing's happening. "It's not that nothing's being done. There's a considerable amount of procedure that needs to be undertaken, and it just takes time." Coldstream director Jim Garlick is pleased a timeline has been developed. "That's fine with me. As long as we know when it's achievable, that's the important part." Area B director Bob Fleming was concerned about the projected cost creeping up from what he believed was an original 6 million...to 8.5 million. "It's an easy way to fail, to keep having the thing go up," he said. Nelson responded the 8.5 million is just the amount that will be borrowed, and the project may be done for less. If the vote is approved, Nelson says construction could start in November 2013, and be completed before the mandated deadline from the agricultural land commission of November 2014.
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Given the lack of momentum from the time of approval by the Agriculture Land Commision, I would suggest that the passing of this referendum is not likely to pass.
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