Ownership of a contentious piece of property is being streamlimed.
As part of parks restructuring, all of the land titles for Kin Race Track will be transferred from the Regional District of North Okanagan to the City of Vernon.
“It simplifies the process,” said director Rob Sawatzky.
RDNO and the city, which currently both own the track, have been involved in legal action with the Okanagan Equestrian Society since the society was evicted from the property in 2010.
The society, which organizes Vernon Racing Days, claims equestrian activities were guaranteed when most of the track was turned over to the city in 1964 for free. The society also alleges the regional district ignored an agreement for lease renewals.
Instead of both the city and RDNO having separate lawyers, Sawatzky says only one lawyer will now be needed in an attempt to resolve the dispute.
It was decided that Kin Race Track should become a local park and fully under the city’s mandate because Vernon will become completely responsible for the adacent Kal Tire Place.
“The linkage means one jurisdiction will be responsible for the area,” said director Bob Fleming.
Depending on the outcome of a legal case, the city will ultimatelty decide long-term use for the property.
RDNO had proposed development of the site for sports fields, a farmers market, two arenas, a BMX track and trails.
