"No Progress" In Track Dispute

Posted on 2/2/2016 by Pete McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM
The group that used to run horse racing at Vernon's Kin Race Track, is vowing to take its fight with the city to court. Robin Dalziel is the new president of the Okanagan Equestrian Society. She says talks with the City of Vernon over use of the site, which is owned by the city, have gone nowhere. "There's been no progress with the negotiations. We're open to speaking to the city. We'd like to talk to the entire council and make a presentation to them, but that has not been allowed so far." The group hasn't run horse racing events for two years, which the city says violates terms of their use agreement. Dalziel says they would like to run events, but claims the city has not maintained the facility. "The city has our hands tied with regards to putting on any equestrian activities at the site because they have not used the proceeds ($750,000) from the insurance to rebuild the grandstand (which burned down in a 2014 fire). We have no electricity. We have no washrooms." Dalziel, who says she has been involved with horses and the track for more than 40 years, feels their legal case is strong, as part of the deal to turn the land over to the city in 1965 (for one dollar) included a clause that the site had to remain a race track. "Our stance is, this doesn't have to go to court, but if the city is going to force us, it's going to cost the city a lot of money. That's taxpayers money. And with the contract being valid, this shouldn't have to go to court."

City of Vernon Chief Administrative Officer Will Pearce issued the following statement in response to a request for comment from Kiss FM:
“The City confirms that it is in negotiations with the Okanagan Equestrian Society and the Vernon Jockey Club concerning the ongoing litigation involving Kin Park.
"The City does not believe that it is appropriate to negotiate this matter through the media, and instead looks forward to the interested parties sitting down together and having a frank and direct discussion.
"While the City is aware of comments reported in the Kelowna Daily Courier today from the Society, the City will not comment on them beyond noting that horse racing in the Okanagan has been in decline for many years, including before the start of this litigation, and that the basis for the Society being able to hold horse racing at Kin Park was terminated following the Society failing to satisfy the terms of an operating agreement it had for the use of Kin Park."
"The City is hopeful that negotiations with the Society will be productive, but is prepared to proceed to trial if necessary to protect the interests of all of its residents,” reads the statement.