It’s going to be a defining year for Oliver.
First up is the official opening of Southern Okanagan Secondary School on February 6.
It will be quite the gala on Gala Street where Minister of Education Peter Fassbender will join the celebration and tour the new school.
Another milestone will be what many residents have been waiting a long time for – the new Frank Venables Theatre.
Our hearts were crushed when the fire destroyed the old school and auditorium in 2011. But the community came back with a renewed spirit to carry on even stronger than before. (We just hope that one day the mystery will be solved and the arsonist will face justice.)
The student production of The Wizard of Oz, the theatre’s first show, should be fantastic under the direction of Alison Podmorow and her talented young crew. Don’t miss it.
Another event to write home about is the ground breaking for the new Okanagan Correctional Centre. It is expected that construction will begin sometime this spring, with a completion date sometime in 2016.
Many people do not share the Chamber of Commerce’s enthusiasm for the prison, but the fact remains it will definitely boost the economy with jobs. And with jobs come spending on local goods and services.
But wait, there’s more.
MLA Linda Larson has confirmed that a medicinal marijuana growing facility is coming to the Boundary-Similkameen this spring. She reports the highly secure, clandestine operation will create about 25 jobs.
Who would ever thought 10 years ago that the government would allow such facilities to exist. In the words of Bob Dylan, “the times they are a changin’.”
Gaze into the Chronicle’s crystal ball and you may see some other potential changes on the horizon.
– A hotel for Oliver – If we all wish for the same thing, it may just come true.
– A truce at Tradewinds – The landlord and the tenants need to have a big group hug and live the rest of their lives in peace . . . without the fence.
– An amended Animal Control Bylaw – No more dogs running loose in the community park.
– National park debate – What can we say . . . it will continue for another 25 years.
– Agricultural Land Commission review – no changes locally. The government would have a fight on its hands if it compromised the preservation of farmland.
– New technology – The government will introduce a pilot project in Oliver to decrease traffic noise every time you open a door on Main Street. Instead of the roar of a transport truck at two-minute intervals, you will hear Barry Manilow in the background.
Smart meter revolution – the fight will continue, with FortisBC upsetting more people by charging them to turn off the radio signal in their “dumb” meters. In addition, rates will continue to rise like nothing ever happened.
But raise a glass; at least we have a whiskey distillery opening up in Gallagher Lake. Just don’t try crossing the highway, it’s not safe.
Lyonel Doherty
Editor
