There are two elements at play in this request for land for a Sports Complex. The first is the Funtastic Organization, an organization that thrives on sports tourism, and the second is the need of fields/facilities for local sports clubs. In the absence of any definitive description of this mysterious Sports Complex (in fact, it was continually being morphed by GVS officials during the Coldstream public meeting), I went to the Funtastic website and provide below a copy of their vision, which I believe to be closer to the ultimate desired look of the Sports Complex than the soft description of “park/sports fields” claimed in the Coldstream referendum text (note the placement of park ahead of sports fields):
"Vision
Funtastic envisions building 6-8 more ball fields at Kin Race Track and complement fields that are located on leased land at DND. The 6-8 fields would be part of a bigger field complex would be a multi sports facility with permanent facilities (including larger washrooms, concessions, building for officials and organizers, covered grandstands, dugouts, covered stage and clearly laid out parking). The new facility would become an ideal location to host tournaments (including volleyball, football, soccer, lacrosse, rugby, ultimate and slo-pitch) and outdoor events (including music performances, plays and outdoor festivals)."
We have an Official Community Plan that spells out a priority on the protection of agricultural land, and this valley bottom land is some of the best and last in B.C.. Unfortunately, some members of Council do not respect this plan. As Gary Corner has two roles, one as the Chairman of Greater Vernon Services, and the second, as the Mayor of Coldstream, he clearly has a huge conflict of interest. Think carefully about what might be your very temporary need for a kid’s sport field compared to the long term loss of this land.
At both public forums a number of people have offered to work to help to address whatever shortfalls exist in our communities regarding sports facilities for local use: inventorying need, looking at smaller pieces of land with poor agricultural capability, looking to upgrading school land, scheduling of use etc. The lack of action on this item, and the continual push to quickly try to get this land, only convinces me of an agenda for sports tourism. They want this land and will stop at no deception to get it…you are being used to aid this end.
It is true that Coldstream doesn’t contribute as many soccer fields in proportion to our player roster; we do, however, contribute some great beaches, boat launches and quiet pastoral biking/hiking to the broader community. A fair trade I would say.
The demographics of this community do not support more sport fields. We have an aging population that values “Rural Living at Its Best” , and a declining youth population. Recent census data in Kelowna (assumed similar to here) suggests that 33% of the population is 55 and older and is a growing number; dollars are better directed to safe bike and walking paths than playing fields (and referendums).
When oil breaches $100/ barrel and continues higher…sports tourism will decline and food costs will soar. We will all value living close to land that we wisely didn’t put a parking lot on.
Primrose Drive
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