A 5,500-seat amphitheatre does not belong in a residential area. Okanagan College’s good neighbuors were informed in December that the proposal to build this $5 to $10 million venue on OC campus land (zoned educational) has been in the works since 2013 at considerable expense, mainly through grants. Grants are ultimately our money are they not?
An anti-amphitheatre group sprung into action to fight this ridiculous proposal.
Unfortunately, the OC board of governors refuses to meet with us to hear our concerns. Instead, we must deal with a society based in Kelowna that has already invested time and money behind the scenes over the past three years.
We feel that we are being hoodwinked, like it is a done deal without our input. Who is protecting our right to live in peace and quiet and maintain property value that we have all worked so hard for?
A 5,500-seat amphitheatre will not only affect the immediate neighbourhood but the entire north end of Kalamalka Lake and beyond, with noise and traffic.
Additional neighbourhood concerns are problems related to vandalism, drugs and alcohol, trespassing, break-ins, littering, lighting and the destruction of a pristine ecosystem and wildlife habitat.
Since my husband and I moved here more than 20 years ago, our two communities have invested millions of dollars on Kal Tire Place (and now twin rink), the Vernon Performing Arts Centre, tennis courts, indoor soccer field, ball diamonds, skateboard parks, water parks, the Okanagan Rail Trail, a new library, Polson Park grandstand and Greater Vernon Athletics Park (a huge over-budget project already on OC land), to name a few.
When is enough, enough?
Now, in a time of fiscal restraint, could money be better spent to hire staff or purchase an MRI machine and other equipment for our new Vernon Jubilee Hospital addition, purchase books and support equipment presently lacking in our schools, or other more important needs in our communities?
The sign on College Way, near the OC amphitheatre site, reads “Rural Living at its Best.”
There is nothing rural about this project and it does not belong at this site.
Check out findanewlocation.weebly.com for more information.
Murray and Jackie George
Coldstream
