Kin Approval
Agricultural Society and GVPRD Agree not quite yet.

If you have been following the story of Kin Park Race Track, you’ve heard some headlines. It started prematurely with “on track to ink ..”, “racing towards finish” and “benefits everyone”.Next banners were “slow out of gate”, “off the tracks” and “get the community on the right track.” That was the story to the end of April as negotiations then resumed between the Vernon Agricultural Society and the GVPRD. “GVPRD approves” was recorded in Vernon’s Morning Star, May 12.

The $200,000 deal for the 7.5 acres at Kin has now been ratified by the GVPRD and the Society directors seek the approval of the membership May 30. The five year contract pays the society $10,000 per year to operate and is renewable. GVPRD chair Barry Beardswell said “there was a great deal of cooperation. GVPRD wants to see the successful continuation of racing.”

The first public response after weeks headlined “Track vital to city” The first member of the public to voice an opinion was Lisa Sammartino, a grade seven student whose letter to the editor showed real passion. Her letter spoke of the enjoyment, fun, wonder, excitement and sense of history racing gave to her. She finished the letter with “horse can do a lot for Vernon.”

A letter to the editor three days later “City hedging it’s bets” was from Vernon resident Ted Brook. It congratulated Lisa Sammartino but expressed majors concerns. Brook urged the society not to endorse the deal and suggested that mayor Sean Harvey and council “acquire a much wider vision of the horse industry”

Society officials remain closed mouth about the agreement until the membership votes. Society President Garry Saitz is expected to announce the details shortly afterwards.

thought du jour
Horse racing needs brave young forces like Lisa Sammartinno to rekindle the fires. Passion for a great sport involves a community.

---