In reading the Dec. 23, edition of The Morning Star, I came across the letter to the editor by Tyler Cull. I felt a response was needed.
First, I will state I am neither a hockey player nor a track and field person, but do enjoy playing soccer. Though at this point in my life, soccer seems to be my main focus, I would rather think of myself as a sports person and supporter of all sports. As those that know me, I have been involved with many different sports during my lifetime. With that being said, let me examine Mr. Cull’s letter.
Mr. Cull’s opening statement: “Another sports track?” really implies that the Greater Vernon area already has a track facility up to today’s standards. Wrong. Greater Vernon really doesn’t have a track at all, more a dirt walking path by today’s track standards. All you have to do is look outside the city to see what a real track is. The rubberized tracks other communities have greatly surpass anything Greater Vernon has and those tracks have been around for a couple of decades. This means the Greater Vernon track is outdated by at least 20 years.
Now, I know for a fact that our current ‘track’ has been around for as long as I can remember and I have been a part of this community for all of my 39 years.
For those serious athletes who want to train for track and field, they have had to generally travel to Kelowna. Again, I know this because I have friends who were into track and field and their best option to try and reach the next level meant going to Kelowna. Sure, coaching was part of the reason, but facility was also a part. Doesn’t this seem that “we have a severe shortage of opportunity” for anyone looking to excel at track and field?
Does Greater Vernon have a facility that is capable of getting hockey players to the next level? Yes, Wesbild Centre. Does this seem fair and equitable?
Let us look at the timeline for ice rinks in Greater Vernon. Priest Valley Arena was built in the late ’70s to early ’80s and Wesbild Centre in the last decade. This means Greater Vernon has had two new arenas in the last 40 years and no new track facility. Again, does this seem fair and equitable?
Now, I won’t discount the need for another ice sheet as I know to get ice time, you would have to be nocturnal. What I will discount is Mr. Cull’s so called “waste of tax dollars.”
The proposed track with an artificial turf field would cost approximately $7.8 million to build. Now being an outdoor facility, maintenance costs would likely be lower and utilities cost would be next to nothing compared to that of an arena.
A new arena, even if we price it at half of what Wesbild Centre cost, would cost about $7.8 million. With maintenance and utilities costs, some might say this is a waste of tax dollars. Any ways, comparing the two in terms of use is like comparing apples to oranges as their use comes at different times of a year. Also, by nature, an outdoor facility is generally more accessible.
We could also examine the cost from an environmental point of view. A green space (though, I know, this would be an artificial turf field) versus a building, which costs more on the environment?
Vernon has been a hockey town for many years and has had its share of success stories in hockey. Really, all I had to do growing up was to look out my bedroom window at 8 a.m. to see Odie Lowe mowing his lawn. Never did I realize or know that my neighbour was a living legend. I can even look to my own family, which has had some good hockey players.
Greater Vernon has a lot of hockey players and I cannot argue that, but other sports do continue to grow in Vernon and Canada. We as citizens must realize this.
We should be supporting all athletes and not just hockey players with great facilities. Then, maybe some time in the future, we will be talking about legends of many different sports.
Jason Beck
Vernon
