Kin Park Sold
Agricultural Society and GVPRD Agree

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 a five year contract which 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”

It was a done deal in the local paper on June 2. Headlines announcing the completion of the negotiations were “Area closer to start” and the Morning Star editorial read “Deal puts arena back on track”. The process slowed but avoided a drawn dispute after the society membership approved the agreement. The deal allows the GVPRD to start construction of a $15 million 3000 seat multi purpose facility. The society gains some economic security and will be able to work on long range plans.

Society officials had been closed mouthed about the agreement until the membership voted on May 30. After the vote society President Garry Saitz announced that he was happy with the agreement and glad that it was done. The vote was not unanimous by the society membership but Saitz and the executive are satisfied with the agreement The deal commits the society to improvements to the park that are attractive for equestrian events. Saitz is optimistic, with the stabling capacity at Kin Park, a fine equestrian facility will take a couple years. The idea(an equestrian facility) already has attracted some interest. The society encourages people to help make this plan a reality with any ideas and good old fashioned hard work.

Horse Racing at one of North America’s oldest racetrack is committed to continue.

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

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