Track Trial Nearing Finish Line

Vernon, BC, Canada / 1075 KISS FM Pete McIntyre August 03, 2017 02:00 pm
The fate of Vernon’s Kin Race Track will soon be in the hands of a BC Supreme Court judge. A ten day civil trial in New Westminster between the Okanagan Equestrian Society and the City of Vernon and Regional District of North Okanagan, is expected to wrap up Friday. The society wants to keep the park for horse events, while the governments want to use it for other recreational purposes. The society is fighting its eviction from the 43rd Avenue park delivered in 2010. Society president Robyn Dalziel says Justice Michael Tammen is expected to take up to two months to make a decision. “That’s kind of the standard on a big case with as much paperwork as we’ve submitted,” Dalziel tells Kiss FM. Dalziel says nine witnesses have given evidence for their side, including herself, while up to three have testified for the governments. “All we can tell while the trial is going on is that its moving along nicely, and we will finish within the ten days,” says Dalziel. The two sides will provide written final submissions, rather than orally, to speed up the process. “We’ve got to finish it that ten days, otherwise the whole matter gets adjourned until the judge and three lawyers can get together again, and that could be a year,” adds the society’s president. The City and RDNO say they are hoping the case will provide clarity on the land’s future.