The cold war apparently isn’t over in Greater Vernon.
With construction beginning on a second ice sheet at Kal Tire Place, some residents are wanting to relive the debate leading up to a successful borrowing referendum in 2015 for the project.
“Much better things that money could have been spent on,” wrote one person on The Morning Star’s Facebook page.
“I couldn’t agree more. We do not need more ice,” added another.
Obviously people are entitled to their views, but the reality is that the expansion at Kal Tire Place isn’t creating additional ice. It’s simply replacing what is already available at Civic Arena because the 1938 facility is failing.
If all of a sudden Civic’s doors were closed, that would directly impact minor hockey and there isn’t sufficient space and time at the region’s other arenas to absorb those players. Civic also can’t be used for any dry-floor activities at this time.
Yes the $13 million borrowed for the expansion is a fair chunk of change, but remember that keeping Civic functional for about five years was $5.6 million and annual operating costs for Civic were $196,706. Essentially, it would be throwing good money after bad.
Of course some people point out that we wouldn’t be in this situation today if Greater Vernon had maintained Civic just as Penticton and Kelowna did with their 1930s rinks. That’s true, but unless we can go back in a time machine and convince decades of politicians to fork out cash for upgrades, the damage is done. Refusing to address the current situation because of poor decision making in the past only penalizes future generations.
Beyond this, there are still those who believe the process leading to a replacement ice sheet was undemocratic.
“I‘m willing to bet that the meetings and referendum for this took place mid-day on a week day. So, perfectly suited for the unemployed and retired to attend. Yet less so for those that will be shouldering the lion’s share of this expenditure,” wrote an individual on Facebook.
For the record, the referendum was held Nov. 28, 2015, a Saturday, and there were also opportunities to cast a ballot in advance. Sixteen information booths were also held leading up to the vote, while details were also posted online and The Morning Star and other local media provided extensive coverage of the issue so residents could be informed.
The other interesting debate on Facebook is the claim that civic leaders are ignoring the world around them.
“We should probably spend money on the homelessness issue in Vernon. More recovery centres, staff to run these centres, a rehab centre,” wrote one person.
There’s no question that there are challenges in the community, but the responsibility for social issues is with the provincial and federal governments and not with city hall or the regional district. And for the person who is upset over potholes on 32nd Street, those complaints also need to go to Victoria as it’s a provincial highway.
In the end, the decision to expand Kal Tire Place was made in 2015 through a transparent and democratic process. Clinging to the past will solve nothing.
Instead, residents should focus on issues that are relevant now and that current politicians can do something about. Among them are ensuring sufficient parking at Kal Tire Place and resolving the fight over Kin Race Track so community needs can proceed.