Parks and rec deal complete

By Jennifer Smith - Vernon Morning Star Published: September 15, 2013 1:00 AM
The key players in Greater Vernon have scored with a team approach to parks and recreation.  The Recreational Facilities and Programming Service memorandum of understanding (MOU) was officially signed Thursday by Vernon, Coldstream and Area B and C. “These are huge advances,” said Mike Macnabb, Silver Star (Area C) director. “That finalizes the whole agreement,” said Bob Fleming, BX (Area B) director. With the MOU, the City of Vernon officially takes over care and control of all regional facilities, while Coldstream and Areas B and C contribute funds to the function. “It’s a fair deal,” said Macnabb. The new agreement, said Macnabb, will allow Vernon to take control (such as programming and rates), without the other regions possibly frustrating the process. “It can be a source of frustration,” said Macnabb. Fleming adds: “It brings clarity to the situation where clarity lacked.” The next step is the detail work. For example, Fleming says: “There’s still a lot of discussion on how you implement the services.”