On April 6, Greater Vernon will vote in a referendum for funding of the proposed sports facility. As a Vernon taxpayer and amateur athlete, I strongly support this project.
This facility meets a long-standing need for so many user groups who, to date, do not have a proper facility to practice or compete in their perspective sports.
So why do we need this facility? Presently, there are a number of sports and athletes who do not have a proper place to train or compete. A recent study shows that the Greater Vernon area needs six new sports fields alone to meet the present needs of local athletes. The goal of this project is to give those sports in the Vernon area that place. With the construction of this facility, we will finally have a facility that not only meets the present but also the future needs of sports like track and field, football, rugby, lacrosse and soccer. This site will be something where our athletes can compete at not only the local level, but also at the provincial and national level.
Currently, there is not a proper track and field facility that allows for local athletes to train in all areas of track and field events. The facility proposed allows for all athletic events from running, jumping and throwing. Polson Park does not meet these needs. Presently, school track athletes have to travel to Lumby to train for their sports. This seems wrong to me.
Furthermore, the Vernon Football League does not have a place to practice or compete. They train on the DND baseball fields which are less than ideal. Not only that, but they do not have a regulation field in which they can properly host football games or league play. Again, this seems wrong. This facility will meet their needs and then some.
Why the artificial turf? The artificial turf allows for back-to-back use as it needs less maintenance after each event, reducing the number of fields required significantly. This also goes for the synthetic surface of the track. This material will last for at least 25 years, where a lesser material would need to be replaced after 12 years. The reduction in the quality of the surfaces would, in my estimation, just result in us spending more money in the future.
Why is it important to have these capabilities? It is anticipated that this facility will attract more than 100,000 visits a year. It will be used by soccer teams, football teams, students from the school district, track and field athletes, runners, people participating in preventative and recuperative health programs and the general public.
Since I moved to Vernon five years ago, Greater Vernon has hosted a number of high-profile competitions that have not only brought economic benefits but rave reviews for the area. Without this facility as proposed we would not be able to support events such as B.C. Summer Games or the B.C. Senior Games. Each of these events would bring $2 million in economic benefit to the Vernon area. Not having this facility would mean a significant loss in future benefits. This year, Kamloops is hosting two major track events both bringing international athletes to town. Although it would take time for us to meet this level of competition, the B.C. senior and provincial games could be hosted as soon as 2015 or 2016. These are only a few of the potential events possible for this facility. Are we willing to forego approving the construction of this recreation facility and jeopardize future benefits?
So how much will this cost me? It has been calculated that it will cost the average taxpayer about $17 a year. This is not much for a world-class facility. The loan will be spread over 20 years, with the initial rate locked in for the first 10 years. This is a good time to do this as the interest rates are at all-time lows. If we wait to initiate this project for a few more years, then we will probably increase the cost to taxpayers significantly.
It has also been calculated by RDNO staff that any cuts would not significantly reduce the cost to the taxpayer. A cut of $1 million would only reduce the overall taxpayer amount by $2.
The final point, I would like to make is one of location. A number of people have voiced concern over the proposed location. RDNO staff looked at a number of locations and discarded them either because the area was too small for the facility footprint or they were too costly. Okanagan College has offered to lease the 5.77 hectares to the regional district for a 40-year period at a cost of $1 a year.
The Agricultural Land Commission has approved the use of this area, thereby eliminating the need to purchase property elsewhere. The property is within close proximity to Coldstream and Vernon and has existing parking facilities and amenities. All of this has significantly reduced the overall cost of this project. If we were to pick any other location, the costs for this project would escalate significantly.
I strongly support this project and believe that this will allow for better quality of life for all citizens of all ages and abilities. And that is one of the reasons we love this area so much — a great quality of life.
If you have question with regards the project, you can get information at www.rdno.ca/index.php/services/recreation/greater-vernon-parks-recreation-culture/community-sports-facility-referendum or at www.facebook.com/pages/Okanagan-Community-Sports-Facility/28627378112081.
Remember to vote yes April 6.
Paul Anderson
Vernon
