Wine Country Racing Association (WCRA) is on the hook for $2,500 after the Town of Osoyoos levied a fine on the racing association for allowing 25 RV/trailers to camp overnight during a Sept. 23-24 event.
Two of the directors of the association – Garry Dell and David Sabyan – appeared before Council’s Committee of the Whole meeting on Jan. 23 to appeal for a reconsideration of the fine and to “establish appropriate expectations for necessary overnight parking on the airport grounds during our events.”
Dell said when he received the letter he was “at a loss for words”, and at the time said “we’re done” because as a not for profit volunteer association they simple could not carry the cost of the fine.
In the letter to the association informing it of the fine, the town highlighted the fact there had been “previous breaches regarding overnight camping along with several follow-up discussions and warnings.”
It further stated that this most recent violation “is troubling and has placed the Town in an unfavourable position,” requiring it to take further action.
“The Town benefits from this event and is grateful for the economic boost in the community, but we must ensure the lease agreement is followed,” the letter stated.
Replying through a letter to council, the WCRA emphasized its various attributes and that it is a volunteer-run, not for profit society which relies on the support of local residents and racing enthusiasts (30-35 volunteers for each event), to organize races, prepare the airport site for racing, and clean up after each event.
In return for the use of the airport, WCRA returns an agreed fee of 30 per cent of the net fees collected from fans and registered racers. In the last 18 years, the fees paid to the Town of Osoyoos have amounted to an estimated $40,000, the association said.
“Each and every member donates their time and associated expenses to support a venue to keep racing off of public roads as well as supporting spectator enjoyment,” the letter stated.
“The Fines reduce our ability to provide annual high school bursaries for Osoyoos and Oliver secondary schools and donations to Crime Watch.” In past years the association said it has also donated to Desert Valley Hospice, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, and Alzheimer’s BC.
The letter noted that the original agreement with the town allowed race participants with race car trailers towed by an RV to stay onsite overnight. All others were required to stay offsite.
The association said that as such only paid racing participants, technical safety staff and night security were allowed to camp or park overnight.
“This has been consistent since 2006 and there had been no previous complaints of any violations for previous 17 years,” the WCRA said in its letter.
A related issue is the fact that the combinations of tow unit and trailer can be nearly 20 metres (65 ft.) in length and require “drive thru” parking only.
The association said it was not aware of anywhere in Osoyoos that could accommodate units of this length for participants in the weekend events, a predicament that was validated by Don Brogan, General Manager Oversight & Support at Nk’Mip RV Park.
Brogan noted that although the RV park has 33.6 metre (110 ft.) pull through sites, due to various factors there is typically no availability when WCRA holds their weekend events.
Councillor Zach Poturica noted that a number of issues have come up over the last year and added that council appreciates events such as those hosted by the association, he expressed confidence that solutions could be found.
Similarly, Councillor Johnny Cheong said he would love to see events like this continue and “I think we can find solutions,” [for the various issues].
Mayor Sue McKortoff observed that the contract was key and said she “understood there where conditions in the contract you were not happy with,” adding that if there are some conditions that need to be adjusted going forward then those need to be ironed out before the contract is signed by the town and the association.
According to Dell the 2023 contract was significantly different than had previously been in place. “Yes, we were not overly happy with the contract as it was written,” he said.
He added that it took significant back and forth between the association and the town from Jan. 24 to May 4 to refine the contract.
“We finally signed that contract two days before our first event,” Dell highlighted before adding, “and then this October we got the letter saying we had violated the contract.”
Cheong asked how many participants stay overnight, with Dell replying he couldn’t give a precise number before saying, “there were possibly eight RVs that stayed overnight.”
He suggested that some of the trailers that were left on site might have been confused as belonging to overnighters.
He explained that participants staying in town at motels and hotels can’t park their large trailers at these facilities and leave them at the airport.
There is also their own security which stays on site, he added.
A motion was passed directing staff to come back to council with a report on the issues in order for a new contract to be agreed upon.
