The Okanagan Equestrian Society formally dropped their appeal of a court ruling favouring the city and the RDNO in the eight-year-long Kin Race Track site fight last week.
The move all but handed the reins to the sought-after property to the residents of Vernon.
It wasn’t that the group lost their passion for attempting to reintroduce equestrian events at the former race track site, they just ran out of money.
RELATED: Vernon Kin Race Track appeal abandoned
While time marches on leaving once popular pastimes behind, it’s hard not to feel for the group that has poured so much emotion into their efforts to maintain an equestrian presence on the storied site.
The dispute began in 2010 when the society was evicted from the track.
The society immediately took the city and the Regional District of North Okanagan to court, claiming equestrian activities were guaranteed when most of the track was turned over for free to the city. The society has also claimed RDNO ignored an agreement for lease renewals. The jurisdictions, though, have claimed the society hasn’t lived up to its terms of the agreement, including maintenance of the property and holding events.
Eight years on, the dispute is over. Now the question becomes: What to do with this prime site in the heart of the recreation district next to the Kal Tire Place twin arenas and popular baseball fields?
Should there be more baseball diamonds with parking? An enhanced recreation facility with a pool? Vernon Coun. Scott Anderson said it would be a good site for a new swimming pool and athletic centre.
So the question to you: What would you like to see rise on the race track site?